Facts About the Largest Alligator Ever Recorded That'll Blow You Away, Animal Sake

Louisiana has the highest population of alligators in the United States, and it is no surprise that the largest alligator ever recorded was also found in this state. An alligator measuring 19 ft. 2 in. may seem too good to be true, but then, some truths are quite incredible in themselves.

On average, a male adult American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) measures somewhere around 13-14 ft. in length. The Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis), which happens to be the only other species of alligator on the planet, is even smaller, its length seldom exceeds 7 ft. In rare cases, specimens measuring 15 or 16 ft. have been recorded, but one measuring 19.2 ft. is remarkable in itself. Remarkable, but true!

19 Feet Alligator, Fact or Farce?

The Louisiana Alligator

The alligator claimed to be the largest ever recorded was found on Marsh Island, Louisiana, in 1890. It was killed near Vermilion Bay in southern Louisiana. It measured 19.2 ft. (5.85 m) in length and weighed somewhere around 2,000 lbs, allegedly. Because it was found way back in the late 19th century, it is hard to verify the claim, and this has led some experts to question its credibility.

American alligator swimming through a Louisiana bayou, its massive armored back visible above dark water — American alligators are powerful swimmers and the dominant predator of the Louisiana bayou.

There have been quite a few unconfirmed reports of American alligators exceeding 20 ft. in length from different parts of the United States, but none of these are credible enough. An email with a picture of an alligator allegedly measuring 23 ft. became widely shared in 2006. It later turned out that the same image showed a 13.1 ft. alligator which was shot by game wardens in West Columbia, Texas. With serious doubts about most such reports, the Marsh Island alligator remains the largest alligator ever caught.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the largest alligator ever recorded?

The largest alligator ever recorded measured 19.2 ft (5.85 m) and was found on Marsh Island, Louisiana, in 1890.

How does an alligator differ from a crocodile?

Alligators and crocodiles belong to separate families within the order Crocodilia. The American alligator has a broader, rounded snout, while crocodiles have a narrower, more pointed snout.

Where do alligators live?

Alligators are only found in two countries: the United States (American alligator) and China (Chinese alligator).

What is 'Swampy' in Titusville, Florida?

'Swampy' is a 200.1-ft alligator-shaped building just outside Titusville, Florida. It is not a real alligator, it is a novelty structure that has been there since 1992.

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Biggest Alligator and Biggest Crocodile

The Stokes Alligator

The Stokes Alligator, named after the family who captured and killed it, is 15 feet and 9 inches long and weighs about 458.8 kg. Because the records are clear and the alligator is on display at the Mann Wildlife Learning Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, we can say with confidence that it is the largest verified alligator on record in the world.

The Largest Crocodile

Many people confuse alligators and crocodiles, and mistakenly think the 20.3 ft. crocodile caught in the Philippines in September 2011 was the largest alligator. But alligators and crocodiles belong to separate families within the order Crocodilia. While the crocodile caught in the Philippines is undoubtedly the biggest crocodile in the world (a fact acknowledged by the Guinness World Records) the biggest alligator in the world remains the specimen caught in Louisiana.

Size comparison showing an American alligator at full 19-foot length next to a school bus to illustrate scale — Size comparison: at 19.2 ft., the Marsh Island alligator was roughly as long as a school bus is wide, about the length of three adult humans lying end to end.

A 200-Foot Alligator?!

The Alligator of Titusville, Florida

Even a 19 ft. alligator is impressive, but what about a 200 ft. alligator? Believe it or not, there is an alligator that is actually 200.1 ft. long, and it can be found in Florida. Surprised? Here is the twist: this is not a real alligator. It is a long, boxy, alligator-shaped building just outside the town of Titusville, Florida, welcoming visitors and attracting passersby. Named 'Swampy', this novelty structure has been there since 1992.

Alligators are only found in two countries: the United States (the American alligator) and China (the Chinese alligator). While the 19 ft. specimen is no doubt exceptionally huge, the chances of an alligator measuring more than 20 ft. cannot be completely ruled out. There is no shortage of large alligators in the wilderness of the United States. You never know, perhaps another alligator is out there, waiting to claim the title of the 'largest alligator.'

Term	What It Means
Alligator mississippiensis	The scientific name for the American alligator, the larger of the world's two alligator species, found in the southeastern United States.
Alligator sinensis	The scientific name for the Chinese alligator, a much smaller species, rarely exceeding 7 ft., found only in eastern China.
Crocodilia	The order of large reptiles that includes alligators, crocodiles, and gharials. All are ancient, dating back more than 200 million years to the age of dinosaurs.
Scutes	The bony, armored plates on an alligator's back. They protect the animal and help it absorb heat from the sun.
Vermilion Bay	The coastal bay in southern Louisiana where the record-holding alligator was killed in 1890.
Guinness World Records	The internationally recognized organization that officially verifies and documents extraordinary records, including the world's largest crocodile caught in the Philippines in September 2011, at 20.3 ft.

Facts About the Largest Alligator Ever Recorded That'll Blow You Away