New York Alligator Sewer Myth: Alligator Sculpture Unveiled to Commemorate 'New York Urban Legend'

Alligators living in sewers of New York City have been nothing but a myth that has captured the imaginations of some people for almost a century. Stories about the said New York urban legend date back to the late 1920s and early 1930s, when unverified reports of sewer alligators came to light. In particular, the legend tells that there are reptiles that permanently live in New York City. However, experts assert that it is unlikely since long-term survival in sewers is not possible.

Sewer alligators may be a real thing in Florida and other parts of the world but such a scenario in New York City is hard to believe, as considered by many. Still, the New York alligator sewer myth has been part of the city's urban legend for a long time. Now, an alligator sculpture has been unveiled in New York City to commemorate its alligator sewer myth.

New York Alligator Sculpture

A bronze sculpture of an alligator was unveiled at New York City's Union Square Park by a Swedish artist named Alexander Klingspor. The sculpture, which is open for New Yorkers and visitors, pays homage to one of New York City's most famous urban legends alligators are living in the underbellies of the city. However, the alligator sculpture, called "NYC Urban Legend," will only be displayed for eight months until June 2024 as part of an exhibit.

According to Joseph Douek, a member of the New York City Planning Commission, they commend Klingspor's masterpiece and they are hoping for the permanent installation of the alligator sculpture following the exhibition period. The public art installation shows an alligator on the back of a manhole cover, with the community organization Union Square Partnership describing it as an inspiration from a "century-old myth."

New York Alligator Sewer Myth

The New York alligator sewer legend says that New Yorkers in the past once abandoned their pet baby alligators, which became too large to keep. The story then evolved into stories of underground monsters living several feet under New York City.

One of the earliest reports of sewer alligator sightings in New York dates back to 1907 but the urban legend fully emerged during the 1930s.

Although alligators can briefly live in drains and sewers, as seen in Florida, what makes the same reptiles unique in New York's sewers is that the Big Apple has an environment that is not suitable for alligators to live, which is also the same for northern parts of the United States where temperatures are relatively colder.

Compared with New York, Florida is known for having an estimated alligator population of more than 1.3 million, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). It is for this reason that it would not be surprising if a person finds an alligator in one of Florida's sewers, just like a case earlier this year.

In May 2023, a stormwater crew in the city of Oviedo, Florida, found a 5-foot alligator roaming in a sewage system, where the incident was caught on footage via a robot.