| Lake Griffin alligator diet
study
Funded by revenues from the "Conserve Wildlife" license plate. |
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 The alligator is restrained and a section of PVC pipe is inserted into the alligator's mouth. |
 A hose is run through the pipe, down the alligator's throat, and into its stomach. |
One of the persistent mysteries of the alligator mortality is why this phenomenon appears to be restricted to Lake Griffin although many lakes in Florida have apparently similar conditions. In the early 1990's, Lake Griffin's poor water quality resulted in the collapse of sport fish populations and an increase in the gizzard shad populations. This shift to a less diverse fishery could be important because fish and turtles make up the bulk of the diet of adult alligators in Florida. |