Maximum Size of Female American Alligators and a New Record Total Length and Weight

Vincent R. Deem^1,*, Andrew W. Letter², Allan R. Woodward¹, Ryan M. Ford³, and Brandon C. Moore⁴

¹Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1105 S.W. Williston Road, Gainesville, FL 32601. ²Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 601 W. Woodward Avenue, Eustis, FL 32726. Division of Hunting and Game Management, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1239 S.W. 10th Street, Ocala, FL 34471. ⁴Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, E105 Veterinary Science Building, Columbia, MO 65211. *Corresponding author.

Southeastern Naturalist,Volume 20, Issue 1 (2021): N7–N14

Abstract
We reviewed past accounts of large female Alligator mississippiensis (American Alligator) from throughout their range and report on 2 exceptionally large female alligators (≥320 cm total length) harvested in Florida. Both individuals exceeded the previous record total length for a female American Alligator (309.9 cm [10 ft, 2.00 in]), and the larger of the 2 now holds the Florida state record for total length and weight at 322.0 cm (10 ft, 6.75 in) and 170 kg (375 lbs), which also makes it the largest officially measured free-ranging female American Alligator. Standardized morphometric measurements were taken by trained biologists, and we examined the reproductive tracts to verify the sex of the individuals. In one alligator, the reproductive tract was found to be abnormal and immature. A partial reproductive tract of the other alligator appeared normal.

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