Alligator calls?

Question

Can you mistake an alligator sound with another animal when you hear it? If so, what kind of animals would you mistake it for?

Answer 1

A lot of people commonly mistake frogs (especially bullfrogs and pigfrogs) for alligators calling. Main thing to remember is that alligators don't talk back and forth unless it's breeding season, and that's nearly loud enough to shake your windows... the little guys don't just grunt for no reason, when they say anything, basically what they're saying is "MOM!!! GET OVER HERE AND SAVE MY BUTT!!!"

Check these out... different sounds made by different sizes of alligators for different reasons.

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/cnhc/croccomm.html

btw, I think the whole mistaking frogs for gators dates back to the first European explorers... the natives probably said, "Hear that? It's an alligator." just to try to keep the Europeans scared.

Answer 2

Alligators make a variety of sounds - why not listen to some and judge for yourself:

http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/american-alligator.html - I think this one sounds like a lion with a sore throat!

This one has Chinese alligator and some others crocs: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/alligatorfund/croccomm.html

various calls:
http://www.junglewalk.com/sound/Alligator-sounds.htm