Sarah Denison

Date of Award

2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Dean, Erin

Keywords

American Alligators, Alligator mississippiensis, Florida, Social History

Area of Concentration

Environmental Studies

Abstract

In this thesis, I explore the role of the American alligator in the livelihood of Floridians past, present, and future through an examination of historical documents and ethnographic work conducted in Florida’s alligator industry. The American alligator has intrigued Floridians for thousands of years and they have found an astounding number of ways to integrate the alligator into their lives. It has become symbol, totem, mascot, pet, research subject, handbag, main dish, nightmare, and souvenir. Our resident crocodilian has been hunted, photographed, chronicled, managed, farmed, sold, tanned, and eaten. As a result of their dynamic, changing relationship with the alligator over time, Floridians have endowed the alligator with a rich and significant social history. Tracing these transformations in the perception and utilization of the alligator unfolds a fascinating and multifaceted story of the alligator’s cultural and economic impact on the lives of Floridians throughout time.

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