Debunked: Hunters Find Bullets From American Civil War In Alligator Hide

Written By: Christopher Pilny

Published Date: December 1, 2014 Last Edited: December 1, 2014

Christopher Pilny

Lisa Powers for redOrbit.com – Your Universe Online

Last week, a headline at the World News Daily Report proclaimed, “USA: HUNTERS FIND BULLETS FROM AMERICAN CIVIL WAR IN 185-YEAR OLD ALLIGATOR’S HIDE.”

Unfortunately the story was fake, something the website admits in a disclaimer. But the story did do one thing right: It got us asking questions about alligators, the Civil War and other old reptiles. And what we discovered was far more interesting than what they made up/exaggerated.

Let’s start with alligators. American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) are an iconic symbol of the South, and certainly existed during the time of the American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 9, 1865). But their lifespan falls far short of the 185 years claimed in the article, with most averaging 30-50 years. Thus, it’s safe to say finding Civil War era bullets in one is out of the question—unless, of course, it’s a stuffed antique.

However, there is one other alligator that may still have damage sustained from the Civil War—the USS Alligator, or the first US Navy submarine. Launched May 1, 1862, the Alligator was built in Philadelphia to protect US ships from the Merrimack, a Confederate screw frigate that was resurrected and rebuilt as an iron-clad ram. The USS Alligator sustained “fatal” injuries as it was being towed to Port Royal, SC and was cut loose and foundered on April 2, 1863.

Living, breathing alligators belong to the group of reptiles known as crocodilians. Male alligators average around 11.2 feet in length and weigh around 400 pounds, but some may weigh as much as 1000 pounds—making the weight mentioned in the World News article (910lbs) entirely plausible. The largest alligator on record was found in Louisiana and measured 19.2 feet. Much like a shark, an alligator may go through 2,000 to 3,000 teeth during its lifespan.

While alligators may not be plausible, there is one creature that could have sustained injuries during the Civil War and still be living today: The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii). Also a reptile, M. temminckii has been known to live up to 150 years, though more commonly falling between 20 to 70 years. At adulthood, they can reach weights of 200 pounds and, as such, are North Americas’ largest freshwater turtle species.

Mainly found throughout the rivers, lakes and reservoirs of the southeastern US, these turtles are opportunistic and feed on both live and dead prey. Sometimes they lure prey with a special worm-like protuberance on the back of the tongue that they wiggle to attract prey close enough to become entrapped by the massive and powerful jaws. There have been a few rare cases of human fingers being severed by this large turtle, but humans are not on the dining list for this species. However, alligator snappers are sometimes on the list for humans, likely even Civil War era humans.

Humans, history and animals all played a part in the fake story, but the real story, the true story is how this is entirely possible—just with another animal with the word “alligator” in its name.

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