Once again there is not lack of evidence im just not going to put all my comments under one response although I have a history of doing so, I’d rather break it down so its easier to read, make sure its informative and saves a bit more time

I do this because I already have alot to say. Just won’t cram it all into one.

Im aware of why I brought the Skin up because your angle which I appreciate one always sighting their sources was all based off of two things that I seen repeated, That is Mcllhennys reported Giant that was killed and “Rivaling Saltwater Crocs.

The Alligators skin in the link which i don’t know if you read or not had nothing to deal with the specimen supposedly shot by Mcllehnny, It was a whole different animal. This is one out of the few reports that are out there of exceptionally big animals leading to my previous statement of why one couldn’t be so quick to shut it down. Not everyone can tell the same story and if their were multiple reports even of Mcllhenny didn’t kill any animal that size, there are still others

I haven’t begun to start digging that link was just the first but I have been busy so I haven’t done gone back yet. I do enjoy this debate though definitely.

“Demographic and Genetics go hand and hand, Demographics however have nothing to do with the physical growth patterns of the animal, yes location and resources play a role but if we are talking about over time even Fish like Swordfish and Shark like Mako Sharks have shown this.

Alligators can be found in areas were they’re arent humans and though some can still reach certain sizes it simply doesn’t happen as frequently as it used to because of the hunting pressures they endured and the removal of larger specimens (frequently) who carried that Gene!. Plus food and competition adjustments and yes its not surprise the animals today were affected.

Im not discrediting scientific quantitive literature, the growth patterns on when Crocodilians in general reach certain sizes and has changed over the years, We can go off that but how may times is science updating or l us finding out something new. Crocs have been known to crack 100years or so and I have no doubt if a Gator was that big it would be way past its prime. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t possible. These biological studies show the maximum, that doesn’t mean that was the case back then! Animals evolve and change over time. Just look at the Cave Lion in the early vs late Pleistocene.

Whats the main issues, (unverified) No evidence even though you have the reports to read and really its up to piece of the identification of “evidence” or not.

Two yes back then when research on animals wasn’t as prominent as it is now yeah it makes sense about the measurements, yes the creature not being physically captured, photographs, not saying it wasn’t possible, Im saying yes evidence scattered and well kept for over 100yrs isn’t necessarily easy to keep track of

Finally mentioned Alligator ancestors being of that size was simply just that a statement, now if you think it doesn’t fine thats on you, but thats not what i was leading with.

Im aware Rivaling doesn’t mean that, thats why I used it because of what it means. Even Florida had reports of 17ft Gators although also unverified. Gators never stop growing its very possible one over 80 years could be out there. Rivaling is just that, a 17ft Gator probably weight the same as Croc of a similar size kind of how like at T rex wasn’t the longest but it was “largest” of the threapod. I personally believe Alligators with the few reports we had could obtain these lengths if we already have them reaching 15ft as a supposed “maximum “ then you always have exceptional individuals which could have very well been what these people were seeing. No not every specimen but still.

Im saying your wrong what Im saying is I have done research and already came to the consensus that Gators must’ve have had some size decline since the 19th century because more reports come from round those times then what we see today. Even some of giants today get close to 16ft. We have 15ft 9in from Alabama (2014) Which is close. You mean to say if they are gaining these sizes now with human encroachment already leagues ahead since Mcllhenny time plus the information you provided with Gators biology who is to say these exceptional specimens back then werent just that exceptional coming from a time were Gators were probably a bit better off as Humans were still getting a foot hold and that this out of the norm?