Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Rules for Alligator Safety

Please report any concerns regarding alligators or other wildlife to the Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 47 Operator, Municipal District Services, at 281-290-6500.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department suggests the following rules to “Be Gator Safe!”:

  • DO NOT feed, taunt, harass or attempt to move alligators. State law prohibits such actions.
  • DO NOT approach baby alligators or a pile of rotting vegetation which could be an alligator nest.
  • DO NOT allow small children or pets to play in or around water that may contain alligators.
  • Dogs are more susceptible to being targeted by an alligator than people as they resemble natural prey. Keep dogs on leashes under adult control.
  • Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn. Be alert when using the trails during this time.
  • If an alligator stands its ground and hisses, you have come too close. Slowly back away until the alligator no longer demonstrates this behavior.
  • DO enjoy viewing and photographing alligators from a safe distance of at least 30 feet or more.
  • DO stay out of the water and avoid low banks.
  • DO teach your family and friends good manners when visiting the home of alligators.
  • Please report foolish actions and problems to the local game warden.

Contact Information

  • TPWD Law Enforcement Communications: (281) 842-8100
  • TPWD Law Enforcement Communications Center/Austin: (512) 389-4848
  • TPWD Alligator Program Information/Port Arthur: (409) 736-2551 or txgator.info@tpwd.texas.gov

For more information on rules and regulation of alligators in Texas, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website at: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/alligator/index.phtml

The Wild Alligators Among Us

Article & Photos by Lauren Svatek

Wild alligators are an awesome part of the nature existing in and around our neighborhoods. Our drainage channels are a natural habitat for these beautiful unique creatures. Runners, walkers and dog-walkers (dogs on leash, of course) using our trails are often treated to a glimpse of these reptiles.

Alligators have occupied Southeast Texas for an estimated 65 million years despite climate and environmental changes. While the dinosaurs went extinct, the alligators survived and lived on in our wetland habitats including marshes, bayous, and lakes. Alligators were once an endangered species, but through successful management and protection of their habitat the species has been able to recover. Alligators are protected by state and federal law.

Since humans and alligators share a common space, it is critical for us to be educated about them so that we are able to co-exist with them safely.

Alligators are relatively inactive during winter months (approximately November to March), but due to this area’s warm humid climate, this may vary. They do not hibernate, but go underground or underwater during really cold temperatures. During this time they do not hunt and can go for long periods of time without eating.

Alligators mate during late spring and early summer. During this time you will generally see more movement from the alligators along drainage channels within and near the District. Female alligators will lay from 15-60 eggs in a mound composed of grass, cattails and mud. Decomposing mounds of vegetation should always be avoided as this could be a nest and the female will be highly protective of the area. Eggs usually hatch around late August or early September. Babies measure approximately 8-9 inches and will be protected by their mother for up to 2 years. Although they may appear “cute” and harmless, it is wise not to approach them as the mother is usually very close and very protective.

You cannot determine the sex of an alligator by simply looking at them. Males at age 10 average about 8 feet and females of the same age average a little over 6 feet. You can almost be sure that an alligator over 10 feet is a male. Alligators about the size of 4-5 feet are usually travelers as they are expanding their territories away from larger alligators. You can estimate the size of an alligator by judging how many inches there are between the nose and eyes; i.e. 4 inches is about a 4 foot alligator.

Alligators do blend in with their surroundings and wait for food. Small alligators eat spiders, insects, minnows, shrimp, and crabs. As they grow, their diet may include small fish, turtles, snakes and small birds. The larger they get, the variety and size extends to large turtles, wading birds, ducks, nutria, otters, raccoons, wild boar, and occasionally deer. Carrion is also a favorite, easy accessible food.

Alligators do not NATURALLY eat humans. Very specific circumstances have to occur for alligators to come close to any people such as when a human comes too close and it feels threatened, when a human threatens a mother’s babies, or when humans have fed an alligator and cause it to feel comfortable approaching them.

Notably, alligators may lie on the bank of a lake, bayou or channel to bask in the sun. This is a natural behavior and does not indicate aggression. An alligator will hiss as a warning that you are too close. Beware that they can move at bursts of speed of 35 mph on land. They are capable of staying underwater for almost 30 minutes at a time so if you see bubbles moving in the water, it is possible that is an alligator.

The opportunity to observe alligators along our drainage channels is a great bonus, but these alligators are protected by law. An alligator is NOT a nuisance or a threat by simply existing in our neighborhood; only a Texas Game Warden can make that determination. DO NOT attempt to move or kill an alligator. This increases the chance of an alligator biting or injuring a person and is prohibited by law. Feeding, injuring or harassing alligators is a punishable offense and can result in a fine. Respect the wildlife so all can enjoy the wild alligators among us!

Following these simple rules, understanding their behavior, and having respect for the wild alligators are the best way to protect ourselves and our wildlife. There are several signs in Kitty Hollow Park, which is a great place to observe alligators, with safety rules regarding alligators. The signs remind us that alligators are smart, that we should be smarter than alligators and to always be careful and safe!

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has suggested rules when encountering and observing alligators that we have posted along with this article.

There are great sources of information on alligators and other wildlife at the following links (and many others):

www.tpwd.texas.gov
https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/americanalligator
https://dfwwildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Alligator-Distribution-in-Texas.pdf
https://www.galvestontx.gov/1163/Alligator

Residential Garbage Service Provided by the City of Missouri City and WCA Waste Corporation

WCA Waste Corporation

Missouri City Customer Service

Residential: 281.403.5800
Commercial: 281.953.1460
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Email: contact@wcamerica.com

The City of Missouri City provides garbage collection and recycling services to the residents of Fort Bend County MUD 47 through WCA Waste Corporation on the following days:

  • Garbage Collection Days: Mondays and Thursdays
  • Recycling Day: Every other Monday
  • Yard Waste: Mondays

Click on the City’s link below and enter your address to get details on collection days.
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Assisted Service Authorization

If you are temporarily or permanently disabled and need assistance taking out your trash carts, let WCA Waste Corporation help you. WCA offers a free valet/assisted service for qualified disabled customers where a professional driver will go to your residence, take out your carts to curbside, empty your carts and return them to your designated location.

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