American Alligator
TYPE: Reptile
STATUS:
Least Concern
QUICK STATS
Body size
Females: 8 feet
Males: 11 feet
Males: 1,000lbs (max)
native habitat
Freshwater lakes, swamps, bayous, marshes of Southeastern United States
diet
Fish, turtles, mammals, birds
Reproduction
20–50 eggs per clutch
life expectancy
Up to 50 years
predators
Raccoons, birds, bobcats (young alligators)
natural defenses
Size, strong bite and tail, good swimmers, camouflage
About the Species
FLORIDA’S FIERCE & FAMOUS
The American alligator was once almost hunted to extinction. In 1967, the alligator was placed on the Endangered Species list due to poaching and habitat loss, but has since recovered. The alligator is the state reptile of Florida.
The American alligator is a member of the Crocodilian family, which includes alligators, crocodiles, caimans, and gavials.
There are only two species of alligators: the American and the Chinese. The American alligator can tolerate colder temperatures than the other crocodilians, which is why it has a more northern range.
Alligators dig out “gator holes” for dens, which provide an important resource for the environment as they may be the only source of water during a drought. When alligators are born, they are only about eight inches long and susceptible to predators. The babies will stay with their mother for up to two years for protection, which is unusual maternal care for reptiles.
Alligator mississippiensis
There are only two species of alligator in the world: the American alligator and the Chinese alligator!
WORD FROM
THE EXPERTS
