They have a long, rounded, shovel shaped snout with nostrils at the end which allow them to breath while their body is under water. Their bodies are long and lizard-like with a thck, muscular tail. Members of this family were successful predators long before mammals began their rule. They are known to search out caves in the banks of waterways and use them as dens.
Females usually have a small range, while males occupy areas of greater than two miles.
Both sexes become more active and extend their territory during the breeding months of April and May. Modern Alligators have many adaptations that make them well suited to their wetland envirnment. Their eyes, ears, and nose are positioned to peek out just above the waterline so they can locate prey without being easily identified. Their eyes and nostrils close by reflex when the animal goes underwater, and they have a transparent third eyelid, or nictitating membrane, that covers the eye as the animal moves through the water. Sexual maturity is based upon the size of the Alligator.