Boots the alligator has become something of a local legend here in Port Aransas, TX, particularly at the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, where he has been a familiar sight for over 15 years.
Estimated to be around 50 years old and measuring approximately 14 feet in length, Boots is believed to have made his home in the birding center’s marshy areas, where he is a somewhat secretive attraction for both residents and visitors.
Alligators like Boots are native to Texas and can live for several decades, with some even reaching 70 to 100 years of age in the wild. As a large, mature male, Boots has established a significant territory in the area, and a significant fanbase!
Where’s Our Prehistoric Pal?
Recently, however, locals have noticed that Boots has gone missing from his usual spot. Where’s our prehistoric pal, Boots?
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) officials, Boots is safe and currently residing in a nearby canal in a neighborhood in Port A. They anticipate that he will return to the birding center on his own, but city officials are collaborating with local resource agencies, including TPWD alligator experts, to develop a plan to assist in bringing Boots back.
While the city typically allows Boots to roam freely, the situation may now require intervention. On August 12, the Port Aransas Nature Preserve announced on Facebook a phased management plan that prioritizes public safety and Boots’s well-being. The first phase encourages Boots to return on his own, while the second phase, if necessary, involves relocating him back to the birding center, though experts advise that this option could be stressful for the alligator.
If officials attempt to relocate Boots and he decides to leave again, the plan’s third phase will be triggered, which involves relocating Boots to an external facility. Unfortunately, this would mean that Port Aransas might lose Boots permanently, as the nature preserve cautioned.
Refuting Safety Rumors
Addressing recent rumors, the Port Aransas Nature Preserve also clarified concerns about the ditch where Boots is currently residing. Contrary to speculation, officials confirmed that the drainage ditch is not at risk of drying up. The preserve also reminded the public that alligators, like Boots, are capable of walking, breathing, and regulating their body temperature outside of water.
Additionally, alligators can travel several miles and often move at night to avoid extreme temperatures, further ensuring that Boots is not in immediate danger if he remains in the ditch for some time.
Do Not Feed
City officials have put up signs and provided maps indicating areas to avoid while Boots is away from his usual home. They have also emphasized the dangers of approaching or feeding a large alligator like Boots. Feeding alligators is not only dangerous but also illegal, carrying a potential misdemeanor charge with fines of up to $500.
Alligators are wild animals that typically live in freshwater habitats across Texas, and if they are fed by humans, they can become accustomed to approaching people, which often leads to the necessity of their removal. Officials are urging the community to refrain from approaching or disturbing Boots to ensure both public safety and the well-being of the alligator.
5 Facts About Texas Gators
What to know more about our large-toothed friend, Boots? Here are five intriguing facts about alligators on the Texas coast:
Coastal Travelers
While alligators prefer freshwater, they’re surprisingly adaptable and can tolerate brackish water, allowing them to explore coastal marshes and even the edges of saltwater bays.
Ancient Survivors
Alligators are living fossils, having roamed the Earth for millions of years, virtually unchanged since the time of the dinosaurs.
Ecosystem Engineers
Alligators play a key role in their environment by creating “gator holes,” which retain water during droughts and provide vital habitats for other wildlife.
Temperature-Tuned Offspring
The sex of alligator hatchlings is determined by nest temperature—warmer nests produce males, cooler ones produce females.
Vocal Giants
Alligators have a unique way of communicating, with males bellowing loudly during mating season to attract females and assert dominance.
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