American Alligator

## Description

The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis ), sometimes referred to colloquially as a gator or common alligator, is a large crocodilian reptile native to the Southeastern United States. It is one of the two extant species in the genus Alligator, and is probably the largest species within its family Alligatoridae; it is larger than the only other living alligator species, the Chinese alligator.

Adult male American alligators measure 3.4 to 4.8 m (11.2 to 15.7 ft) in length, and can weigh up to 560 kg (1,230 lb), with unverified sizes of up to 5.85 m (19.2 ft) and weights of 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) making it the largest member of the family Alligatoridae. Females are smaller, measuring 2.6 to 3 m (8.5 to 9.8 ft) in length. The American alligator inhabits subtropical and tropical freshwater wetlands, such as marshes and cypress swamps, from southern Texas to North Carolina. It is distinguished from the sympatric American crocodile by its broader snout, with overlapping jaws and darker coloration, and is less tolerant of saltwater but more tolerant of cooler climates than the American crocodile, which is found only in tropical climates.

American alligators are apex predators and consume fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Hatchlings feed mostly on invertebrates. They play an important role as ecosystem engineers in wetland ecosystems through the creation of alligator holes, which provide both wet and dry habitats for other organisms. Throughout the year (in particular during the breeding season), American alligators bellow to declare territory, and locate suitable mates. Male American alligators use infrasound to attract females. Eggs are laid in a nest of vegetation, sticks, leaves, and mud in a sheltered spot in or near the water. Young are born with yellow bands around their bodies and are protected by their mother for up to one year.

The conservation status of the American alligator is listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Historically, hunting had decimated their population, and the American alligator was listed as an endangered species by the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Subsequent conservation efforts have allowed their numbers to increase and the species was removed from endangered status in 1987. The species is the official state reptile of three states: Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

## Appearance

The American alligator, a representative of reptiles, is a species of immense size. Typically, this alligator has short legs that, in spite of their size, allow the alligator to run and even gallop. The American alligator has 5 toes on its front legs and 4 toes on its back legs. It has a big hollow in its upper jaw, so when it closes the mouth, the huge 4th tooth of the lower jaw fits into this hollow and is not seen from the outside. American alligators’ tail is smooth while the body is armored. When in the water, the alligator moves either onwards or backward; as for the latter, the tail helps him swim effectively. They have silverfish eyes. From the outer side, on the back, the alligators’ skin is armored with scutes and osteoderms (plates of bones). From the underside, an adult alligator is creamy-white while being either black or olive-brown outside. Young are identified by flaxen stripes on their tails.

## Distribution

Major areas of American alligators’ habitat are located in the USA, mainly in south-eastern states, including Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, southern Georgia, eastern Texas, south-east of Oklahoma, southern Arkansas, and along the sea coast of Carolina. Habitat of American alligators includes freshwater ponds, rivers, swamps, saturated areas, etc. Nevertheless, alligators can also be found in salty environments.

## Behavior

American Alligators are both diurnal and nocturnal animals, being active all day long. Their homes – dens - are big holes in the ground. Though using dens for protection, alligators love taking sunbaths in the warm season of the year. Large individuals of the American alligator, especially males, defend the territory and lead a solitary lifestyle. Smaller ones, however, keep closer to each other. During the cold season, alligators are usually dormant. They dig up to 65 feet-long tunnels in water, leaving the top part of it above the water level. These caves serve as a shelter under extreme weather conditions.

## Diet

American alligators are carnivores and they’re not very choosy about food. These animals are satisfied with any kind of prey: from fish to birds, from mammals to other reptiles, and, sometimes, even mollusks and insects. However, in spite of being carnivores, these alligators feed upon not only meat but also fruits.

## Reproduction

The American alligator is polygynous, i.e. one male can mate more than 10 females within his home range. Males of this species are especially careful to defend the territory from other males, particularly during the season of breeding. They try to scare away each other, demonstrating open jaws and colliding with heads. The mating season starts in the middle of spring and lasts until May, after which females start building nests of vegetation. Then, two months later, at the end of June – the beginning of July they lay 35-50 eggs. The incubation period lasts 65 days, whereupon baby-alligators hatch out of eggs. The babies join groups called pods. Until the youngsters are under the age of 1 year, the mother protects them from predators, after which the female leaves hatchlings, tending to lay new eggs in the following breeding season. American alligators reach maturity at the age of 10-12 years when they attain a length of 6 feet.

## Population

### Population threats

The federal government has listed American alligators as threatened due to their similarity with American crocodiles: the latter is endangered and thus the federal government tries to protect them from being confused by hunters. Perhaps, if not the human intervention, American alligators would never have been threatened. However, alligators’ skin is nowadays highly valued, serving as a material for boots, shoes, wallets, and purses. And not only their skin is in demand, but also their meat is popular in the food industry. In addition to this, currently, there are large commercial farms where American alligators are raised as a profitable source of high-quality meat and skin.

### Population number

The overall population of the American alligator counts up to 5.000.000 individuals throughout the southeast of the USA, 1.25 million of which live in Florida. The ICUN classifies this species as Least Concern (LC).

### Ecological niche

In their habitat, alligators are one of the species that play a key role in the environment. Thus, they regulate the population of prey species in the area. On the other hand, dens or caves, that they excavate, benefit other animals in the area. For example, the red-bellied turtle uses nests, left by alligators. In addition, alligators are highly sensitive to toxins, thus serving as good indicators.

## Domestication

Occasionally, domestic animals, including dogs, cats, and calves, are taken as available, but are secondary to wild and feral prey. Other prey, including snakes, lizards, and various invertebrates, are eaten occasionally by adults. Water birds, such as herons and egrets, storks, waterfowl and large dabbling rails such as gallinules or coots, are taken when possible. Occasionally, unwary adult birds are grabbed and eaten by American alligators, but most predation on bird species occurs with unsteady fledgling birds in late summer, as fledgling birds attempt to make their first flights near the water's edge.

## Fun Facts for Kids

Sex of the future breed depends on the temperature in the nest. Thus: if the temperature is higher than 93° F (33.8° C), male breeds are to be expected; if it’s lower than 86° F (30° C), then breeds would definitely be females while the temperature between 86-93° F will produce both males and females.

The word “alligator” literally means “the lizard”, originating from the Spanish equivalent "el lagarto”.

Since 1987, the American alligator is recognized as the official reptile of the state of Florida.

In spite of not having vocal cords, the male of the American alligator makes a loud roaring sound in order to attract mates, filling its lungs with air and exhaling with alternating and resonant bellows.

American alligators’ mouths can accommodate about 80 teeth. Outworn teeth are replaced. As a result, during its life, one alligator can go through 3.000 teeth.

Cases are recorded when alligators used baits to catch birds by placing sticks on their heads and thus decoying birds: the latter thought it to be nesting material.

Along with being excellent swimmers, alligators gallop, run, walk and crawl. There are two types of alligator walk: “high walk” - holding the body above the ground, and “low walk” - a stretching walk.