Everybody knows there are lots of alligators in South Carolina. In fact, there are over 100,000 alligators living in South Carolina’s coastal areas, lakes, swamps, and 29,898 miles of meandering rivers; and some of our Palmetto State rivers are absolutely gator infested.
South Carolina is divided by the Fall Line, a 900-mile-long natural boundary that divides the state. It runs alongside U.S. Highway 1. Above the fall line is the Piedmont plateau region, and below is the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The Coastal Plain is where most alligators reside.
The folks at A to Z Animals recently published an article outlining the top 7 most alligator-infested rivers in the Palmetto State.
#1 Savannah River
According to the article, the 301-mile long Savannah River is the number one most alligator-infested river in South Carolina. It flows from Hartwell to Savannah, then into the Atlantic Ocean , creating the South Carolina – Georgia border on it’s winding way.
This epic river is home to rare wildlife species, including 12 endangered species. Many alligators live in the Savannah River due to its abundant fish and bird life, and female gators dig out nests in the riverbanks to raise their babies.
The Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL) studies alligators here to discover how pollutants affect long-lived reptiles, and tracks individuals using GPS satellite transmitters attached to bony neck plates. Turns out, alligators in the Savannah River don’t stay put, they move about a lot. One Savannah River resident alligator undertook several ten-mile trip over land and plantations to hunt elsewhere.
#4 Edisto River
According to the article, the Edisto River comes in at #4 as it winds its way through the Lowcountry. It’s slow-moving, marshy, and surrounded by palmetto thickets, swamps, and marshes – perfect alligator environments. In 2021 a 12-foot-long, 445-pound alligator was killed here. When its stomach was opened, five dog collars were discovered inside along with bobcat claws and turtle shells. That’s a real eye opener into what alligators in the Edisto River are eating.
This river is a long, free-flowing blackwater river. It stretches over 150 miles from Saluda and Edgefield Counties to the Atlantic Ocean via South Carolina’s Edisto Beach. Carp, longnose gar, American eel, and redbreast sunfish thrive in its waters.
The List:
1. Savannah River
2. Pee Dee River
3. Little Pee Dee River
4. Edisto River
5. Waccamaw River
6. Santee River
7. Congaree River
You can check out the full article here.
Think about this the next time you decide to jump into a river in South Carolina. It’s probably best if it maybe isn’t one of these gator infested rivers.
