Once a federally listed endangered species, American alligators have recovered in many areas. The species is still federally listed as threatened because it looks like the American crocodile, which is endangered. The species belongs to the order Crocodylia and the family Alligatoridae. Although they are primarily freshwater animals, alligators will venture into brackish salt water.
Alligators live in swampy areas, rivers, streams, lakes and ponds.
On the Savannah River Site, alligators inhabit the Savannah River, its swamp and tributaries, and Par Pond and other reservoirs on the site. By June, pairs have mated, and females begin building mound nests out of marsh reeds or other vegetation. Sometime during late June or early July, females lay between 20 and 60 eggs. The hard-shelled, white eggs are about 3 inches long and resemble goose eggs. The mother defends the nest against predators throughout the incubation period, about 65 days.