Count The Alligators
This morning I was quite surprised to see a good size group of alligators all enjoying a quiet nap together. I don’t normally see alligators getting along with each other all that well, and I certainly don’t normally see a large group practically laying on top of one another with no huge arguments breaking out!
I watched them for almost an hour and they would move around a bit, stretch and lift up their heads on occasion, and that was the extent of the activity. They all pretty much stayed in their designated spot the entire time until one finally decided it was too crowded and felt the need to leave the group. Naturally the only way you can do that is to rudely walk right across your friend’s back.
So how many alligators can you count?
Phil Lanoue Photography 
I think I see 8, but not sure. This reminds me of a series of coffee mugs I had in the 70’s with different animals all intertwined like a ball of salamanders in their mating ritual. We still have a couple and they are still x-rated.
These are all cool, Phil. Jaws agape in some. The last is my favorite…what interesting behavior.
You are close Steve, there are 7.
Hey I had some of those coffee cups too! Might still have one or two in a box somewhere.
Thanks for checking these out and glad you liked them!
Walk lightly, do not wake anyone.
At one point there was a loud sound from a vehicle of some type and it kind of woke everybody up but they quickly went back to napping. 🙂
Separating all the body parts and then figuring what belongs to who(m?) is too much of a challenge this early. Looks to me like you’re hoarding all the alligators. No wonder I don’t get to have any. 😉
It was an alligator hoard for sure and was the first time I ever saw a crowd like this all behaving.
OK, I’ll tell you, there were 7 total. 🙂
Seven? Is that right?
I have to laugh about, like Mr. A. is running over Mr. AA! Great! *gg
Seven is 100% correct!! Very good job!
Yes that is very funny with Mr. A running over Mr. AA! 😀
Haha, I don’t need to guess as I have read the answer. They reminded me of basking seals actually. Both their personal position and proximity to each other. Great shots for us gator addicts 🙂
Oooo you read ahead and spotted the correct answer 😯
Well I’m very happy I was able to provide your daily alligator ‘fix’. 🙂
Oh BTW…you still having those huge traffic jams at the Spanish border? Read about it in the WSJ last week.
Yup. We made the WSJ? 😀
Finally published a delayed post about it today.
You did indeed make the WSJ but the story is apparently blocked for online subscribers only. I pay for the print edition and still can’t view online content without paying extra. I posted a link to a WSJ video on your blog though.
I thought it was six, but I see above it was seven. Geez, they walk all over each other too. Great seeing so many!
This is not normal behavior for these guys, walking on your friend generally brings repercussions but he got away with it this time. Glad you liked seeing the morning crowd!
Before I looked at any other answers, I counted 7. Yayyyy, I got it right :).
Excellent!! Good for you! 🙂
Wonderful shots Phil.
Thanks very much Jan.
I had to laugh as I saw the last pic. Great shots, Phil.
It was funny to see him walking across his friend, and it did not seem to bother the sleeping guy.
Oh, that scene gives me nightmares. 😀 Good they are yawning, ready for a nap I guess. I do really like your photos, very cool. I don’t know any photographer with your courage always being in the thick of the gators.
I occasionally do have dreams about alligators. Big surprise right?! 🙂 Well I’m very glad you like the photos!
He has a very determined look on his face, walking over his friend’s back. I would let him get away with it too, I’m sure.
I’m a little surprised the guy being walked on never even flinched. But so it goes at nap time, you have to keep your priorities in place.
Gunta is right again about hoarding them all. What do you call a group like that – posse?
If you are going to be a hoarder might as well go with alligators. I think the scientific term for this would be ‘butt load’.
As in, that’s a butt load of gators out there.
makes sense
Don’t know if I’m ready for gator group shots, yet. 🙂 Yikes!
I tried to rearrange them a little better to see all their faces but they can get a little cranky if you wake ’em up so…
You are too funny! 🙂
OH my…if I saw that many alligators out in the wild, I’d probably run!
Well these guys were mostly just napping. Mostly… 🙂
Well, 7 is a lucky number! These pics are so cool, Phil 🙂 WOW!
Hey glad you liked the group of 7 Paula, thanks!
I thought there were nine, but I must have been seeing double on a couple of them. They really are having a family hug. Great capture, Phil. 🙂
I’m just amazed they managed to all get along OK in this close quarters and I would have thought walking on your friend would be a serious breach of etiquette but what do I know?! 🙂
I thought they were 7 but i see that you say that they are 8 … Anyway it was a bit tricky to count them 🙂 … I just love your Gator photos, and this time, especially your last 🙂 // Maria 🙂
I should have wrote that I thought they were 8 … And that you say that they were 7 … My fingers slipped over the numbers a bit to fast … Sorry // Maria
Well I’m very happy you liked these photos Maria and you are correct there were seven. First time I ever saw that!
Are there 7 total? And how cute (seriously) are they all cuddled up together? Alligators must be like cats because Teddy just walks right over my back when he wants to get up in the morning. I ignore him, of course. Love the pics!
Yup 7, good job counting heads! Alligators like cats? Humm… let’s see…Alligators like to nap in the sun, they are very good at conserving energy (which means doing nothing) they can command attention at times, they expect to be admired, they prefer all conditions to be perfect always, they are not good with change, they like to sleep wherever they feel like and too bad if it’s inconvenient for anyone else, so…are alligators like cats?
I think they *are* cats.
Ha! Yes. We’re onto something here!
Oh absolutely!
Are they maybe a family group, Phil? Would they tolerate each other better?
I don’t think they have any kind of family ties that they would remember and have it affect their behavior in any way years later. Alligators this size can be 10-12 years old already. More likely it’s the time of year, when mating season is concluded for the most part and if everyone has been getting enough to eat they may be in less competition and less territorial.