Louisiana swamp tours put you face to face with alligators, otters, wild boars, turtles, herons, and nutria. Louisiana's wetlands are among the most biologically diverse in the country, home to roughly 2 million wild alligators and about 400 bird species. On a Bayou Swamp Tour, expect about 90 minutes on the water packed with wildlife and photo opportunities.
Louisiana contains about 3 million acres of coastal wetlands, roughly 40 percent of the continental U.S. total, according to the USGS. Here is what you can look for during your trip.
What Alligators Will You See?
Experience the gator up close and learn about conservation efforts in the region. You will likely spot alligators soaking in the sun; if not, look in the lagoons and waterways for a gator lurking in the dark. Louisiana is home to roughly 2 million wild alligators, plus nearly 1 million more on farms, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Males average 10 to 11 feet and can weigh 500 pounds, and the species left the endangered list in 1987, per the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A good guide from Bayou Swamp Tours will help you spot them in the wild.
Do Otters Live in the Swamp?
Yes. Plenty of river otters have made New Orleans' swamps and bayous their home. The river otter burrows a hole close to the riverbank or swamp shoreline for easy access to water. Members of the weasel family, otters hunt at night and feed on what they can find. Fish is their favorite food, but they also eat turtles, amphibians, and crayfish.
Why Are Wild Boars in Louisiana?
Wild boars are invasive members of the pig family that have taken over the wetlands of Louisiana. To combat their growing numbers, residents and tour companies hunt the wild hogs for their meat. The wild boar meat trade has helped protect local wildlife and wetlands. Do not be shy about asking for a smoked sausage made from wild hog meat during your trip.
What Turtles Live in Louisiana Swamps?
Get a chance to see the gigantic alligator snapping turtle in the swamps. This is the largest freshwater turtle in North America and among the biggest in the world. With a spiked shell, beaklike jaws, and a thick, scaled tail, this turtle is a dramatic animal to see. The "dinosaur of the turtle world" is far from picky: besides fish and amphibians, it hunts bigger prey like armadillos and raccoons.
Which Birds Can You Spot?
Many birds thrive in the area thanks to the abundant fish. The marshland hosts species like egrets, cranes, and herons that wade through the meandering waterways feeding on small fish, amphibians, and crustaceans. Louisiana supports about 400 bird species, and the Mississippi Flyway carries roughly 40 percent of North America's migratory birds, notes the National Audubon Society.
What Are Nutria?
Also known as river rats, nutria are large rodents that live in the Louisiana wetlands. These unwelcome guests have feeding and burrowing habits that damage plant life and contribute to coastal erosion.
Experience the pristine wilderness of New Orleans by boat. Home to raccoons, bobcats, turtles, birds, and alligators, the bayous and swamps offer an exciting chance to mingle with nature. If you are up for an adventure, journey through bayou country on an alligator tour with native guides who share their knowledge of the wetlands.
Frequently Asked Questions
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