More Alligator Facts From Our Alligator Tour In New Orleans

November 11, 2019

If you’ve never been to the Gulf area, you’ve probably never seen an alligator. But anyone down here will tell you—the swamp is the best place to see them! Before you take a bayou adventure, find out more about these modern dinosaurs with Adventures of Jean Lafitte. You might even surprise your friends and family with what you know.

Are There Different Kinds Of Alligators?

Everyone knows the American alligator! It’s famously found along the Gulf Coast and a fan favorite of those perusing the swamp. But there is, in fact, another type of gator out there—the Chinese alligator.

Chinese gators are much smaller than their American counterparts. American gators can grow up to 15 feet, but Chinese gators cap out at about six or seven. If these two are ever in the room together and can’t be differentiated by size, another good way to tell is by looking at the snout. Chinese gators have a smaller and more upturned snout, making them tend to look like caimans. 

Unfortunately, both of these big reptiles have had their issues with their population. Currently, the Chinese gator populace is around 100 in the wild. On the other hand, there is some good news. Many zoos and conservation teams have been having a good time repopulating their numbers. And on the American side, they have moved into the ‘least concern’ category, now with numbers well into 2 million!

While there are only two types of gators out there, there are many creatures that tend to be confused for these beasts. Caimans, crocodiles…even smaller creatures such as lizards from time to time!

Are Alligators Like Frogs?

We get this question more often than you’d think! But it has a rather long-winded answer. Because yes, they are alike, but then, no—they’re very different.

The main difference is that gators are giant reptiles and frogs are amphibians. Amphibians spend a good amount of time in the water and need to be wet in order to be healthy. While alligators spend a good amount of time in the water, they aren’t amphibians. We can usually tell if a creature is amphibious or not by their skin. If a critter has scales—you know this is a reptile. On the other hand, amphibians have smooth skin they breathe and drink through. Additional differences can go on and on, depending on the specific species.

But like we said, they’re also very similar. Many amphibians lay eggs just as lizards do, but their eggs are often in the water and are soft to the touch. And while amphibians have webbed feet, most reptiles have clawed toes. However, some reptiles like the gator also have webbed toes for swimming! On top of everything, both amphibians and reptiles are cold-blooded creatures. But while reptiles bask in the heat, amphibians don’t want to risk drying out their skin. They instead look for a sweet spot of just right humidity. Overall, these two types of creatures can be very similar. So similar, in fact, that amphibians were once considered reptiles for a time.

So, yes, gators are like frogs, but they’re full of differences too!

Take A Ride With Our Alligator Tour In New Orleans

Ready to learn more about Louisiana’s gators? Schedule your tour with us today and take your adventure tomorrow. Have a question for us about our processes? Please feel free to call us at 504-323-0570 or send us a message. We want to make sure that your alligator tour in New Orleans is one to remember.

Creature Snapshot: Let’s Learn About Louisiana’s Birds!

November 8, 2019

One of the best things about the swamp is the fact that it’s home to so many creatures you may not see anywhere else! And, if you’re an avid reader of our blogs, you’ve certainly heard us talk about gators more than once. Let’s give some love to the other creatures in the swamp, shall we? Take a peek at these birds on our bayou tours in New Orleans and book online today!

The Majestic Brown Pelican

Due to the pelican being such an important piece of Louisiana’s identity, it’s important to begin with these interesting birds. The brown pelican is the Louisiana state bird and is even on our official state flag. However, you may notice that the bird there is white. This is because the flag itself was made in 1912, but the brown pelican wasn’t the state bird until 1966. By then, the white bird was well-known! To this day, the pelican has remained well-loved and you can see our bird represented in our media, culture, and on our shores.

Despite being the smallest of the pelicans, they are still a pretty large bird! Four feet long and with a seven to eight-foot-long wingspan, this big bird puts many others to shame. Pelicans are often easy to pick out from a crowd from the large pouch attached to the bottom of their beak. This big pouch can actually hold up to three times as much as they can fit in their stomach. And for good reason—they need to eat four pounds of fish a day. They catch these fish by diving headfirst into the water and scooping them into their bill. If you’re able to catch a glimpse of one of these maneuvers, it’s a good day! 

What Other Birds Can Be Found In The Swamp?

While the pelican is the most famous Louisiana bird, there are several others that stand out.

  • Herons are large, thin birds with even larger and thinner necks. In the state of Louisiana, there are several types of herons, and they come in many different colors. The most common of these in the state is the tricolored heron. Formerly known as the “Louisiana heron”, these birds come in blue-gray, lavender, and white. 
  • Egrets are actually a type of heron but their stark white coloring often stands out. Many like to make the distinction since their look is slightly different. However, they are closely related.
  • Many hawks, eagles, and hawks make their home in the Louisiana swamplands. You may be so lucky to see one of these predators swoop from the skies for their next meal!

If you’re an avid bird watcher, Louisiana is the perfect place to find the critters you aim to see.  

Want To Take A Ride On These Bayou Tours in New Orleans? Book Online Today!

There are so many birds in the Pelican State. Take a ride on our bayou tours in New Orleans today to see some interesting birds for yourself. Book online or just ask us more about the fantastic Louisiana wildlife! Call us at 504-323-0570, email info@adventuresofjeanlafitte.com, or send a message online to get your questions to our professionals. We’re excited to help you see these birds take flight.