Richard Moore Outdoor Report: Road Gators

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Recent rains have triggered alligators on the prowl in the Rio Grande Valley, and it’s best to be cautious when traveling roadways of the lower Valley.

As water rushes into low-lying areas in the Valley’s southernmost county, some gators are content to lurk in welcoming flow with toothy countenance agape poised to snatch any unfortunate prey swirling past.

While stealthy ambush at aquatic confluence is a favorite tactic, other alligators are roaming in search of new waters to invade.

As this young alligator pauses its trek, stretching out for a rest on a caliche road, the gator warns any passerby with an alarming display of sharp teeth and menacing hiss.

The young gator is somewhat intimidating but shrinks in comparison to this massive 12-footer lurking roadside in Cameron County near Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge east of Rio Hondo.

The imposing alligator, no doubt weighing close to 500 pounds, issues an ominous hiss sufficient to dissuade any potential threat.

Unfortunately, not all alligators manage to cross highways safely, and occasionally they are hit and killed by motorists.

This 10-foot-plus gator weighing several hundred pounds was struck and killed on Highway 106 linking Rio Hondo and Laguna Atascosa.

The unidentified driver fled, but the vehicle no doubt suffered serious damage after colliding with the huge gator.

No one knows how many alligators reside in the Valley, but there is a thriving population at Laguna Atascosa and surrounding ranchlands.

Since the lower Valley’s system of resacas and canals are all interconnected, it is best to be on the lookout for the big reptiles.

While it would be hard to miss an alligator this size lumbering across the road in broad daylight, a gray gator stretched out on dark asphalt in the night poses the potential for disaster.