Four Mississippi hunters captured a 14 foot long alligator and set a new state record. Donald Woods, Will Thomas, Joey Clark, and Tanner White captured the male alligator in west Mississippi’s Sunflower River. This area is a dedicated alligator hunting zone.
The male alligator weighed 802.5 pounds (364 kilograms) and was 14 feet and 3 inches long (4.3 meters). This broke the state record by 2 inches, according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP). He had a belly girth of 66 inches and a tail girth of 46.5 inches.
This sounds like something out of “Lake Placid,” and yes we realize that movie features a crocodile. In all seriousness though, this is insane! The four men who captured this 14 foot monster deserve some serious props. We can barely begin to think about how much work capturing this beast would take.
Fun Facts about American Alligators: they can weigh up to 1,000 pounds. The temperature of the nest can determine the sex of the eggs, with warmer nest producing males. In the wild they can live up to 50, whereas in captivity they can live between 60 and 80. Unlike most reptiles, they care for their young and females stay for up to two years. They are considered the loudest reptile in the world, with their roars hitting 90 decibels. Also, their blood has both antibiotic and antiviral properties.
Mississippi’s Alligator hunting season takes place from the last Friday in August and lasts for 10 days. Hunters require a special permit from the MDWFP and attend a special hunting course provided by the MDWFP. For more information about Mississippi’s Alligator Hunting Season, check out here.
