As one of the largest reptiles in Red Dead Redemption 2, Alligators can seem pretty intimidating to take on. Especially as they have the ability to strike and kill players almost instantaneously, however, these archaic predators can be just as quickly taken down with a swift blow to the head, and they spawn in great numbers, unlike most predators in RDR2.
Alligators are excellent sources of Big Meat and other crafting materials. They also make easy targets for checking off predator kills and other tasks in Red Dead Online’s Daily Challenges. Despite the large chunks of meat, the compendium separates alligators into “Small” and “Regular” variants. Skins from the small classification are able to layer over the back of your horse like deer skins and the like, while regular alligators will count as a large carcass slung over your mount’s rump. However, this is the only significant difference between the two sizes, as the drops are the same from both.
All alligators can be taken down with rifles, tomahawks, or bows with poisoned arrows. The important thing is to take them out quickly with a headshot before they can ensnare you in a death roll. The Rolling Block Rifle will allow you to keep a greater distance while still being able to land an effective kill shot.
Updated on December 11, 2021, by Kim Dailey: Turns out those whisperings about legendary gators were true, so we're back with a few new locations for you! The Banded, Sun, and Teca Gators are all exceedingly rare variants of alligators that only appear at certain times of the day or in exclusive locations, which we'll cover now and we've also updated the map to reflect their whereabouts.
Alligator Locations
Alligators reside exclusively within Lemoyne but often appear in mass despite their limited habitat. You’ll find them lining the banks throughout The Bluewater Marsh and the Bayou Nwa.
They make fairly easy if a bit dangerous targets as they spend most of their time sunbathing on land. You’ll no doubt find plenty just by trekking through the wetlands of Lemoyne, but here are a few areas where their numbers seem to be the most concentrated.
- The cove up north in the Bluewater Marsh off of the Lannahechee River.
- All along the Kamassa River from Lemyone’s northern border to the south, where it meets with the Lannahechee River.
- The network of rivers flowing through Lagras, Lakay, and Saint Denis.
- All across the smattering of isles on the northwestern border of Saint Denis.
- All over the shores and isles on the southernmost tip of the Bayou Nwa, southwest of Saint Denis.
Legendary Banded Gator Location
The band in this gator's name refers to the red stripe that runs along its back. You may find it skulking in the river around the point just west of the Saint Denis border.
Legendary Sun Gator Location
The Sun Gator is aptly named for its sunburnt coloring. The citizens of Lakay claim it stalks the marshes nearby. Players seem to be having the best luck north of the town. Ironically the Sun Gator isn't all that fond of the sun. They aren't active outside the early morning hours and are more commonly caught skulking in the mist and fog.
Legendary Teca Gator Location
Teca Gators are among the most deadly of their species. They optimize the camouflaging effect of their sleek black skin by appearing only at night, preferring to veil themselves further under heavy rainfall. Teca Gators may be found south of Calliga Hall, lurking in the marshlands that border the Lanahechee River.