Effects of Drought on American Alligators (Alligator Mississippiensis) in Texas (General NOTES‪)‬

Most knowledge regarding the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) during dry weather refers to the annual dry season regime in southern Florida (Hines et al., 1968) or to droughts in Louisiana (Chabreck, 1965). In this paper, we present a compilation of observations made on alligators at Brazos Bend State Park, Fort Bend County, Texas during a drought that extended from spring 1988 through spring 1989. Brazos Bend State Park consists of 1,982 ha located less than 32 km southwest of the Houston city limits. Prominent aquatic areas in the park consist of a freshwater marsh (Pilant Lake), three lakes (Elm, Forty Acre, Creekfield), three oxbows (Old Horseshoe, New Horseshoe, Hale), and a slough (Pilant Slough). Hiking/biking trails border portions of the aquatic areas, and sometimes serve as the only separation between adjacent impoundments. Big Creek flows through the park and the Brazos River forms the eastern park boundary. These water courses serve as potential dispersal routes.