Download or read book Population Ecology and Habitat Use of American Alligators in Inland Freshwater Wetlands of East Texas written by Kevin Keith Webb and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 244 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Market hunting, poaching, and wetland habitat losses reduced American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) numbers throughout Texas and the rest of the southeastern United States during the late 1800s and the early 1900s. Alligator populations in Texas are currently stable to increasing, with the greatest concentrations occurring on the mid to upper coast, with healthy populations in inland wetlands, along major river drainages and impoundments. As inland alligator populations in Texas continue to expand and current harvest strategies rely upon models and data generated from coastal populations, it is critical that regionally specific data are used. In 2003 and 2004, inland alligator habitat use, population dynamics and ecology were studied at three inland wetlands in East Texas. First, nocturnal habitat use of alligators was examined by conducting spotlight surveys at each study area during both years. Habitat use varied between adult and subadult alligators at Dam B WMA, where adults preferred more open water environments, and subadults preferred less open water environments with more cover (P