What to Know as Katy Alligators are on the Move
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KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
April 28, 2026
By Natalie Cook Clark
This is the season when alligators are on the move and can be seen in Katy neighborhoods. Local experts talk the benefits of these critters and what to do if you encounter one.
Now through the month of July is when alligators are likely to be on the move, they pass from one body of water to another throughout mating season. Their movement can put them in neighborhoods and even family yards, garages, or the occasional kitchen visit.
While experts admit alligators may appear a little intimidating (like modern day dinosaurs,) they assure Katy residents that there is no history of aggression with these fascinating and beneficial critters.
“These alligators are not aggressive like ones in Florida,” says retired and now Special Game Warden Barry Eversole. “These are also no crocodiles in Texas and actually only a small portion of Florida has them.”
Yesterday, a small alligator was spotted near Beckendorff Junior High. Gators have been spotted in Cinco Ranch recently and in creeks along many Katy walking trails.
“If they get their mind set on it, they will move miles and miles,” says Eversole, who has 40 years of experience with these critters. “They will go through neighborhoods to get through to water.”
Eversole recalled one time a family reached out for help when an alligator found its way into their kitchen.
“They don’t have reasoning skills,” explains Eversole. “They survive on instinct and in that case the gator ran into the house and managed to find a doggie door and found his way into the home not by choice.”
As the Katy community continues to grow and more master-planned communities come in, alligators will continue to come into contact with residents more often.
"These developments are giving the alligators just what they want by putting in ponds and supplying them with water that is rich with wildlife," says Eversole.
The local alligators are beneficial to local ecosystem and are good for our communities to have.
“While alligators are quick, they tend to move slower and look for something easy grab such as the sick and injured,” says Captain Game Warden Brandi Reeder, who has been a game warden for over 26 years.
“If a duck has cholera, the gator will take out the sick bird preventing it from infecting other birds,” adds Eversole. “This helps to manage the population and prevent the spread of disease.”
Of course, an alligator can still sometimes get in a resident’s way. If a gator is blocking your exit or entrance to your residence or work, then Texas Parks will remove it for a fee based on the removal expert who goes out. Call 512-389-4848.
“If a gator is near your home but not posing a threat or keeping you from entering or exiting, it is best to leave them be,” explains Captain Reeder. “Chances are he will move on and that is the best course of action.”
Residents are encouraged to call that same number (512-389-4848) if they encounter a nuisance gator. This would be for a gator that seems aggressive or seems to lack fear of humans, one that isn’t hesitant to approach.
Katy residents can live among alligators safely by following these tips:
Do not let children play around lakes, ponds, or swamps unsupervised.
Let children know where gators could be, and to stay alert in these areas.
Warn children about the dangers of gators and what to do if they encounter one: leave the alligator alone, maintain a distance of approximately 30+ feet, and leave the area.
Remind children to stay away from the edges of lakes, ponds, or swamps.
Advise children not to go after balls or toys that landed in a lake, pond, or swamp.
Keep pets enclosed or on a leash in areas where there are gators.
Be aware of fishing lines or hooks that can attract gators due to their similarities to natural food.
“The biggest advice to follow is to never feed them, that associated you with food,” explains Brandi. “Always keep your pets on a leash. Don’t give them an easy meal!”
April is National State Park Month. Katy is a close drive to many parks where you can see these animals in a natural environment. Brazos Bend State Park is near the Katy area and has over 300 alligators for viewing.
#CentralGreenPark #PrimroseSchools
