Largest Alligators Ever Recorded: Size, Weight, and Record Holders

Imagine a 15‑foot, 1,000‑pound reptile advancing toward you. In Florida, such a sight is possible, but only the largest alligators ever captured reach those dimensions.

Below we focus exclusively on alligators, not crocodiles, and highlight the most massive specimens recorded by both length and weight.

Species Overview

There are two living alligator species: the Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) and the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis).

The Chinese alligator averages about 5 ft (1.5 m) in length and 50 lb (23 kg), with a maximum of 85 lb (39 kg). In contrast, adult male American alligators can exceed 1,000 lb (454 kg) and typically reach 11.2 ft (3.4 m). Females average 8.2 ft (2.6 m). Consequently, the American species dominates size records.

Population Hotspots

Florida and Louisiana each support over one million alligators, making them the most prolific habitats for the largest individuals.

Largest Alligators by Length

Gator hunters and wildlife agencies have documented several record‑setting specimens. The following list ranks the biggest alligators ever measured:

5. Big Tex

Captured by a Texas A&M alumnus, this alligator measured 13 ft 11 in (4.2 m) and remains one of the longest documented.

4. Drew Baker Alligator

In Arkansas, Drew Baker felled a 13 ft 9 in (4.2 m) alligator, surpassing many prior claims.

3. Lane Stephens Alligator

At 14 ft (4.27 m), this Florida specimen, taken by trapper Lane Stephens in Lake Talquin, is among the longest on record.

2. Robert Ammerman Alligator

During Florida’s 2010 statewide harvest, Ammerman captured a 14 ft 3.5 in (4.36 m) alligator – a remarkable achievement noted by wildlife officials.

1. Mandy Stokes Alligator

The longest alligator ever documented measured 15 ft 9 in (4.8 m) and was captured in Alabama, setting a new benchmark.

Largest Alligators by Weight

Weight records often coincide with length, but some specimens stand out for their mass:

5. Lane Stephens Alligator

Weighing over 800 lb (363 kg), this specimen is also among the heaviest.

4. The Apalachicola Giant

Corey Capps recorded a 1,008 lb (457 kg) alligator, a standout in the Apalachicola region.

3. Mandy Stokes

Stokes’ catch tipped the scales at 1,011.5 lb (459 kg).

2. Drew Baker Alligator

More than 1,100 lb (499 kg), this gator remains one of the most massive ever weighed.

1. Mike Cottingham Alligator

At 1,380 lb (626 kg), Cottingham’s specimen holds the world record for the heaviest alligator.