Can Alligators Climb Trees?

Hi prub,

Yes, although I wouldn't think it's common, alligators can climb trees...

Here's a picture:
http://www.mallowandgogo.com/gallery/view_photo_properties.php?set_albumName=floridakeys&index=68&gallery_popup=true

I found that here:
http://www.mallowandgogo.com/gallery/floridakeys?page=3


Here's more:
http://www.amelianow.com/summer01-clinch.htm
http://www.newtimespalmbeach.com/bestof/2001/bestarts/bestart21.html


As the tourist noted, if you can't climb trees to get away, I wonder what to do!


~~Cynthia


Search term used at Google Image Search:
"Alligator in a Tree"
"alligator climb trees"

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Request for Answer Clarification by prub-ga on 30 Nov 2005 23:13 PST

Could you clarify please? The first picture is plastic alligators on a
tree. I don't think a full size alligator could climb a tree.

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Clarification of Answer by cynthia-ga on 01 Dec 2005 14:19 PST

Too bad you already rated my answer. I called my friend that lives in
Florida, very near the water. Alligators are very common in her
neighborhood. She has seen, as in with her own two eyes, an alligator
climbing up the trunk of a tree in her back yard. She used a piece of
wood to get it to come down, and ran into the house. As I said, I
don't think it's normal, or common, but it CAN happen.

I think cynthia may have misunderstood your question.  As I understand
your question, you are asking if living alligators can climb up a
tree.  I believe she may have thought that you meant can a person
attach a plastic alligator to a tree and take a joke picture of it
with a joke caption.
So, the correct answer would be no, alligators do not climb up trees.

Perhaps this information will be helpful to you.

http://www.uga.edu/srelherp/ecoview/Eco50.htm

Q - I have not been able to find the answer to my grandson's
question--can alligators jump, as over a fence? I thought I heard once
that they could. Could you answer this one for us, please?

A - Alligators cannot jump over fences, but I have seen alligators up
to six feet long climb over both chicken wire and chain-link fences.
I'm not sure how high they might climb to get over a fence, but
certainly several feet.

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http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW230

Myth #3. Alligators are not good climbers.

Alligators have sharp claws and powerful tails to help them push their
bodies up. Young alligators are agile climbers and adults have been
known to climb fences to get to water or escape captivity. Low fences,
therefore, may not be sufficient protection for pets in areas where
alligators are present. Fences should be more than 4.5 feet tall if
you are attempting to keep alligators out of your yard.

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http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ws/nwrc/research/nonlethal/physical_methods.html

Depending upon the region, predation behavior of reptile species may
lead to conflicts. Alligators can be excluded from areas using
concrete or wooden walls along waterways, provided walls are greater
than 3 feet above the high-water mark. Because alligators can climb
fences, it is best to exclude them using strong fences that are at
least 5 feet high. The top of the fence should be angled outward to
deter climbing.

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http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/nreos/wild/pdf/wildlife/ALLIGATORS.PDF

Damage Prevention and Control Methods

Exclusion

Alligators are most dangerous in water
or at the water?s edge. They occasionally
make overland forays in search of
new habitat, mates, or prey. Concrete
or wooden bulkheads that are a minimum
of 3 feet (1 m) above the high
water mark will repel alligators along
waterways and lakes. Alligators have
been documented to climb 5-foot (1.5-
m) chain-link fences to get at dogs.
Fences at least 5 feet high with 4-inch
(10-cm) mesh will effectively exclude
larger alligators if the top of the fence
is angled outward.

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See photo
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology/brittoncrocs/!amis3.htm

Sub-adult basking on a grassy bank close to water. Animals will rarely
bask far from water, into which they can rapidly retreat if
threatened.

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Middle of page - see An American Alligator basking on a log.

http://www.marshmission.com/coastal_correspondent/volume17.htm

In 1993, I was on a bus traveling from Orlando, Florida to Cape
Canaveral. On the way, we saw a small alligator sunning himself while
lying on the limb of a tree. The bus driver stopped, and several
people took photos.

In my comment above, I should have noted that the tree limb on which
the alligator was lying was not a fallen limb. It was about six feet
in the air and was attached to a living tree.