Baby Boy Is Growning Up

For the past three seasons we have been following the progress of the “baby” of the pond. We know it’s him because he is always in the same area of the marsh pond kind of tucked away in a corner away from the bigger alligators. So we were thrilled earlier this week to once again see the little guy out patrolling his private section of the pond in the shallow water among all the pond weeds.

But…it looks like our baby boy is getting bigger! What was once an 18 inch tyke, is now close to a five foot young adult. Of course most of that is tail but it’s good to know he has been thriving and some day soon should break out on his own among the big boys and claim a piece of territory and possibly compete for a mate.

49 thoughts on “Baby Boy Is Growning Up”

Gracie on April 5, 2013 at 4:09 pm said:

Nice captures, Phil. 5 feet? Whoa, he can swallow me whole!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 10:59 am said:
  
  Thanks Gracie! Yes even at that size he is still just a baby. We call any alligator under 5 feet a “baby”. 😀
  
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niasunset on April 5, 2013 at 4:10 pm said:

he he he baby boy growing up 🙂 He seems that will be great and handsome Mr.Aligator,
Thanks and Love, have a nice weekend, love, nia

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- Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 11:00 am said:
  
  The baby boy is growing up and will hopefully one day be a large handsome adult Mr. Alligator!
  Thank you Nia! 🙂
  
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norasphotos4u on April 5, 2013 at 4:20 pm said:

Great captures – however – I would not want to come in contact with this “baby” !!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 11:00 am said:
  
  Awww… he’s just a baby 🙂 Thanks for looking!
  
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mariayarri on April 5, 2013 at 4:30 pm said:

These gators are becoming to be my favourites … Especially this one, i look forward to follow him growing up // Maria

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- Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 11:01 am said:
  
  Thank you Maria I’m glad you are liking our alligator friends and I hope to continue to post updates on his progress. 🙂
  
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Cowboys and Crossbones on April 5, 2013 at 4:49 pm said:

Who would have thought I’d be all “awe, what a cute toddler alligator?” But I always find myself here cooing over reptiles (and I’m not even wearing them!). Love that you’ve been able to follow him!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 11:03 am said:
  
  He is a cute toddler! So funny to see him slogging around in that shallow water trying to act like a big boy!
  Thanks a lot for checking out my baby portraits.
  
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janmasyn on April 5, 2013 at 5:39 pm said:

Baby’s are growing really fast, great shots Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 11:03 am said:
  
  These guys do grow faster then even I thought. Good for him though. Thanks Jan.
  
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Gunta on April 5, 2013 at 5:52 pm said:

Awww… it’s getting to be that time of year again, is it? What a sweetie. Who would have thought I’d be saying that about an alligator?

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- Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 11:04 am said:
  
  It sure is getting to be that time of year again! I’m pumped! Weather is really starting to heat up and that means the gator action will soon heat up as well! And sure, why not? He is a sweetie! 😀
  
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Molly Argo on April 5, 2013 at 5:56 pm said:

How great it is when you can watch them grow into adulthood!! Makes you feel like a proud Papa, doesn’t it??!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 11:06 am said:
  
  I am happy we have been able to follow this guy for the past couple of years. Once he gets large enough and starts to head off on his on I’m afraid he will eventually become just one of the pack. Maybe I should get him a shirt or hat so I’ll know him later. 🙂
  
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Maggie Davey on April 5, 2013 at 6:01 pm said:

That is one big adolescent! How big will be eventually grow to be?

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- Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 11:07 am said:
  
  He is a growing ‘teenager’ Maggie! He could get to 8 feet or even 10 feet long, but they tend to get wider and fuller as they age and the length growth slows down.
  
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pixelspielerei on April 5, 2013 at 7:20 pm said:

Fascinating!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 11:08 am said:
  
  Thank you I find them to be fascinating as well!
  
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Garden Walk Garden Talk on April 5, 2013 at 7:20 pm said:

He needs a new name now. Something a little more big boy like. Sure its a boy? How does one tell?

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- Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 11:11 am said:
  
  I was thinking of getting him a shirt or maybe a hat or wristwatch so that we will know him as the years go by.
  Just using the male term for convenience, no way to know for sure on the sex. If I dragged an alligator out of the water by it’s tail and flipped it over I don’t think male/female could be easily determined. 🙂
  
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Andrew on April 5, 2013 at 9:22 pm said:

Some baby! How long might a wild alligator live, Phil?

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- Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 11:13 am said:
  
  He sure is some baby! Alligators in captivity can live for 60-70 years Andrew. Wild alligators like this one, (and all the ones I photograph) likely do not live that long. A lot depends on reliable food sources, competition, and fights. We see some that appear *very* old though.
  
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Charlie@Seattle Trekker on April 6, 2013 at 12:20 am said:

As always the photography is top notch and the back-story information is great.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 11:14 am said:
  
  Thanks so much Charlie, glad to know you are enjoying the photos and stories!
  
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WinstonePhotography on April 6, 2013 at 2:01 am said:

wowza, great shots! Glad I had time to catch up on your posts tonight 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 11:14 am said:
  
  Well as always I greatly appreciate you looking and commenting and happy you like the baby pics!
  
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  - WinstonePhotography on April 6, 2013 at 3:38 pm said:
    
    always love your work!
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 6:07 pm said:
      
      🙂
      
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Chillbrook on April 6, 2013 at 2:09 am said:

Cute ‘little’ guy isn’t he? Nice captures Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 11:15 am said:
  
  Oh he is plenty cute all right Adrian! 🙂 He actually was rather comical slogging around in the shallow marsh water trying to act like a big boy.
  
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lylekrahn on April 6, 2013 at 2:59 am said:

Ah even the little ones are getting big.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 11:16 am said:
  
  We are surprised how fast this little guy did grow. Seems like only yesterday…
  
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adinparadise on April 6, 2013 at 3:51 am said:

What a cute little ‘baba’, even if his skin isn’t quite as smooth as a baby’s bottom. 🙂 Amazing photos again, Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 11:17 am said:
  
  Oh he is plenty cute alright Sylvia! I bet his white belly is soft like a baby though. Want to try it and find out?! 😀
  
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Amy on April 6, 2013 at 10:13 am said:

one third of the full size already, the cute little guy is growing fast. Great captures, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 11:18 am said:
  
  He really is growing surprisingly fast Amy. I’m guessing he is finding plenty of food and not much competition. Well…at least for now.
  Thanks for checking these out!
  
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Animal Log on April 6, 2013 at 12:13 pm said:

As always, I’m in awe of your work, Phil! How close do you have to get to get these close-up shots? The second one looks like he’s staring straight at you! Even if he is still a “baby”, I wouldn’t want to get near him!!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 6:06 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much I’m so glad you like these! I was not too close but it didn’t matter, this little guy had no interest in me as long as I left him alone to enjoy exploring his world. 🙂
  
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ruthincolorado on April 6, 2013 at 1:02 pm said:

Handsome guy! Great shots.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 6:06 pm said:
  
  He is rather good looking isn’t he?! Thanks!
  
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dinajohnston on April 6, 2013 at 4:50 pm said:

Nice catch! He’s going to be a big one soon.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 6, 2013 at 6:07 pm said:
  
  Thanks Dina yes he is growing rather nicely!
  
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Bella Remy Photography on April 6, 2013 at 6:47 pm said:

Five feet ! Now he’s becoming a big boy. I love the textures and different shades of the water around him while he’s swimming. Wonderful captures.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 9, 2013 at 9:53 am said:
  
  Thanks a lot Emily, he is growing up quite nicely and although right now he is mostly tail I’m sure he will fill out just fine. I saw him again yesterday, he was hanging back watching an 8 footer feeding and likely picking up some pointers on how it’s done. 🙂
  
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Fergiemoto on April 8, 2013 at 8:31 pm said:

A five foot baby! That’s a big baby!
Great shots!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 9, 2013 at 9:54 am said:
  
  He is getting to be a big baby! Thanks, so glad you like these shots!
  
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Laurie MacBride, Eye on Environment on April 14, 2013 at 10:55 pm said:

Great images and story! And I can identify with it. Our baby boy, Solo (the deer) is also growing up. But his teeth are a lot less scary than your baby’s!

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