American Alligator

Wow!! Wow!! again

Appearance

It has a short, blunt snout which shows upper teeth when the mouth is closed. Eyes, nostrils, and ears are located on the same plane allowing for entire body to be submerged, except for these organs. A protective covering of bony plates lies under the skin across the back. Even with armor, the animal is extremely flexible and quick. Alligators are usually between 6 and 16 ft. in length, although any over 12 ft. are rare. They have a long powerful tail for swimming.

Range

It is found around the southeastern coast of the U.S.

Habitat

It inhabits wetlands, including lakes, river, swamps, and brackish coastal marshlands.

Diet

They will eat anything they can overpower, including venomous snakes. Alligators do not chew their food, they swallow items whole or tear chunks off by grasping and rolling. They are known to stash food until decomposition begins. Stones are swallowed to aid in digestion.

Reproduction

During the spring, at night, males attract females by bellowing loudly and giving off a musky secretion from chin glands. The female builds a nest mound of mud and vegetation, and lays thirty to seventy eggs. Unlike most reptiles, alligator females protect the nest. The 8-inch young hatch and grow about 1 ft. a year. Females show some protection of young.

General Behavior

They are very common and are perhaps the most studied of all crocodilians.

Status

They are not threatened.

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Last modified: Tuesday, January 07, 1997 11:31:44 AM