Salinity affecting gators?

[Paleosuchus]

Today while searching for American crocodiles on the banks of inlets from the bay deep into the mangroves i spotted what i thought would be the find of the year so far. I saw splashing and heard some bellowing ahead around 100 feet or so. I parked the canoe on the muddy bank and walked the rest of the way. What i saw was not what i expected nor was it normal by any means from my experience. It was what looked to be two american alligators in courtship. Now, this is not the time of year for them to be doing this and secondly this area was incredibly salty. And to make for more confusion this gators where small and looked to be to small to breed or very young breeders ( around 4-5 feet). These things just do not add up to me and i was curious if salinity has affect on the growth of alligators? Aswell as why they would be breeding so early in the year? Only thing i could think of was that today was of good degrees. Around 80 or so, taking advantage of this.
Thanks for any help, jason

[KrokadilyanGuy3]

Alligators can tolerate saltwater habitats for a certain amount of time, however due to the lack of salt-extracting glands, this toleration is short lived. As for the growth, not so much due to the fact they do not technically live in salt water.

Alligators reach sexual maturity around 5' (Give or take) in length and I've seem some breed at smaller sizes. I'm not sure when breeding begins there, however if you've had some rather cool temperatures and then went to having several days/weeks of warm weather than this is what sparked them.

Should have gotten pics..
Zane

[Paleosuchus]

Alright thanks for the information. As for pictures i wish i could have. But i dont take any of my electronics expecially my cameras on canoe trips or any boat trips for the matter ( i am vey clumsy).
Jason