hey, cats... dig on this big ole alligator....

[TUSK]

http://imgick.al.com/home/bama-media/width960/img/alphotos/photo/2015/08/18/-16c40550f9229903.jpeg

http://www.al.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2015/08/near_record-breaking_900-pound.html#incart_2box

[BeardoMSU]

It seems like there is another one of these stories every week or so.

I just wish there was a way to appreciate a giant 60+ year old animal without killing it, especially when it's meat isn't being used for food. And I say that as a life-long hunter and conservationist.

They even considered it, but the allure of having it mounted on their wall was apparently just too strong

[TUSK]

It seems like there is another one of these stories every week or so.

I just wish there was a way to appreciate a giant 60+ year old animal without killing it, especially when it's meat isn't being used for food. And I say that as a life-long hunter and conservationist.

They even considered it, but the allure of having it mounted on their wall was apparently just too strong

I'm no tree hugger, but it would be nice if they tagged him, took some pics and lettem go (if he was in a "suitable" area) .... frick, that alligator was around to see Ole Miss win the SEC, for Christ's sake....

[BeardoMSU]

I'm no tree hugger, but it would be nice if they tagged him, took some pics and lettem go (if he was in a "suitable" area) .... frick, that alligator was around to see Ole Miss win the SEC, for Christ's sake....

Exactly, dude. Let that old timer go. He's lived this long, take some pictures, tag him, but let him go.

On a related note, I remember reading about an alligator snapping turtle being killed back in the early 90's that was so big it almost filled the bed of a truck. When they examined it, they found musket balls that were later dated to the civil war, so that critter was at least 150 years old, and had not only survived father time, but probably the target practice from the grandfathers of the guys who eventually killed it.

[TUSK]

Exactly, dude. Let that old timer go. He's lived this long, take some pictures, tag him, but let him go.

On a related note, I remember reading about an alligator snapping turtle being killed back in the early 90's that was so big it almost filled the bed of a truck. When they examined it, they found musket balls that were later dated to the civil war, so that critter was at least 150 years old, and had not only survived father time, but probably the target practice from the grandfathers of the guys who eventually killed it.

whoa, that's crazy!

[TUSK]

Exactly, dude. Let that old timer go. He's lived this long, take some pictures, tag him, but let him go.

On a related note, I remember reading about an alligator snapping turtle being killed back in the early 90's that was so big it almost filled the bed of a truck. When they examined it, they found musket balls that were later dated to the civil war, so that critter was at least 150 years old, and had not only survived father time, but probably the target practice from the grandfathers of the guys who eventually killed it.

read this: http://worldnewsdailyreport.com/usa-hunters-find-bullets-from-american-civil-war-in-185-year-old-alligators-hide/

perhaps debunked: http://www.clarionledger.com/story/outdoorsreport/2014/12/04/185-year-old-gator-killed-in-mississippi/19886409/

[BeardoMSU]

read this: http://worldnewsdailyreport.com/usa-hunters-find-bullets-from-american-civil-war-in-185-year-old-alligators-hide/

perhaps debunked: http://www.clarionledger.com/story/outdoorsreport/2014/12/04/185-year-old-gator-killed-in-mississippi/19886409/

Yeah, I remember that story too.

There have been many turtles, especially land tortoises, documented as living to 100 years or more, so a few living to 120-140 isn't out of the question. I don't think there have been gators found that old before. I believe the oldest gator in MS was ca. 80 or so; which is pretty damn old.