Distribution and abundance of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) in the Welder Wildlife Refuge, Texas.

The number, density and distribution of juvenile and adult American alligat ors (Alligator mississippiensis) were determined from 3 April to 27 May 199 8 at the Welder Wildlife Refuge in San Patricio County, Texas. A total of 1 41 alligators were counted from all aquatic habitats representing a density of 0.62 alligators/ha. (or 162 alligators/sq. mile) of available aquatic h abitat. Of the 128 specimens for which size could be estimated, 90 or 70.3% were under 1.5 m long (juveniles). The total density of alligators represe nted a 194% and a 30% increase over 1973 and 1978 estimates, respectively, from the same region. Notably, densities found within the Welder Refuge wer e many times greater than counts made in other Texas counties during the 19 70s possibly reflecting the protected status of alligators within the Refug e. Alligator numbers correlated positively with the log area of ponds but a lligator densities did not correlate significantly with the log distance of ponds from the nearest permanent body of water to which alligators migrate during periodic droughts.