Alligator Stalking - Finding Hilton Head's Most Famous Residents

One of the most asked questions from Hilton Head Island tourist is; "where's the best place to see an alligator". Alligators and Dolphins are Hilton Heads most famous wildlife attractions, but for some reason, alligators seem to carry some aura of mystery or adventure about them, as well as awaken our sense of danger. Even mild adrenalin junkies realize a "death defying thrill" anytime they see a gator that is not separated from them by glass or fencing. There are several foot and bicycle bridges along Pope Avenue, which cross small lagoons and ponds, and its not unusual to see a dozen or more people crowded together peering over the rail of one of these bridges; mystified by the gator leisurely floating below. Often, people passing on the footpaths and sidewalks greet each other with, "there's a gator up by the second bridge", rather than, good morning or good afternoon.

Alligators are harder to find than Dolphins, but much easier to watch once you find them. Dolphins are usually seen in fleeting glimpses; a quick look at a fluke, or a dorsal fin, sometimes the whole animal (but just for a second) making a playful jump, or attempting to dislodge parasites. Gators, on the other hand, tend to stay in one place for long periods of time. Whether they're floating about or sunning themselves on the bank of a pond, they don't move much and they don't move fast; that is unless they spot prey or sense danger, be warned: Alligators can run faster than humans for a few feet!

The only problem with the gators preference to not move a lot is that it works both ways. It seems alligators spend a great deal of their time lying, out of sight, at the bottoms of ponds and lagoons. Don't think that you can just hang around and watch until they come up for air; gators can hold their breath longer than you could possibly imagine! They are creatures of habit though, and if you see one in a certain place, at a certain pond, you will probably spot him again at the same location; except during the summer mating season, when you might see one anywhere: including the highway!

If you'd rather go gator stalking the "easy way", an "Alligator Safari" operates a quiet (and canopied) electric boat in Sea Pines Resort; where you can sit and ride in comfort while the guide (who knows where to look) points out these prehistoric left-overs as you sip on a cold drink. If you're more ambitious, you might spot a gator in any pond you pass; Shipyard Plantation and Sea Pines Plantation have the largest populations of alligators on the island. Also, there is one pond in particular; just off the corner of Avocet Drive and Lagoon Road (behind Coligny at the entrance to Spinnaker Resort), which seems to always be teaming with gators. Good luck and be careful!

Article courtesy of HiltonHeadHotline.com