American Alligator

## Locations

Mississippi Acres Preserve

"*The American Alligator is the apex predator of its range across southeastern United States where it can be found in rivers, lakes, freshwater swamps and marshes. Informally called "Gator" they consume fish, birds and mammals but at their peak size they consider any animal near their habitat a potential target. Both alligators and crocodiles perform a "death roll” where they rotate their body to rip of pieces of flesh from their prey. Alligator sex is determined by the temperature at which they develop during incubation. Alligators are difficult to kill and they will retreat to deep water if wounded. The best way of dispatching a gator is via brain shot, or by shooting at the first or second vertebrae at the base of the head.*"
― In-Game Description

The **American Alligator** is a Class 6 reptile in the order Crocodylia. It is the 1st huntable reptile to be introduced, and as such is the first crocodilian to be introduced, predating the Saltwater Crocodile. They can be hunted on Mississippi Acres Preserve.

## Need Zone Times

- | Time
 03:00 - 06:30
 06:00 - 09:30
 09:00 - 12:30
 12:00 - 16:30
 16:00 - 20:30
 20:00 - 00:30

## Scute Variants

Albino - Left SideDark Brown - Left SideMelanistic - Left SideOlive - Left SidePiebald Variation 1 - Left SidePiebald Variation 1 - Right SidePiebald Variation 2 - Left SidePiebald Variation 2 - Right SidePiebald Variation 3 - Left SidePiebald Variation 3 - Right SidePiebald Variation 4 - Left SidePiebald Variation 4 - Right SidePiebald Variation 5 - Left SidePiebald Variation 5 - Right Side
## Tips

Shooting in the tail would not be advised. The tail is long, provides no vital organs to hit, and it is unlikely any gun can penetrate all the way through the tail to the liver/lungs.

8-10 Alligators will run away, but if you're close enough they have the advantage of being undetectable while submerged in water (may attack on land also) they may attack. A issue with hunting these reptiles is that once they are spooked, they will quickly run into the lake/river/pond (Depending where you're hunting) and submerge itself. Here is how to shoot one and put down: If it is facing you or is in a position you could go for the head, a brain/skull shot will put it down quickly or it will run and die later. If it is not facing you, instead going left or right, go for the chest.

The American Alligator is one of the few animals that should be killed by a brain shot, due to the fact, that heart shots are almost impossible to land. The final score will not be negatively affected by said brain shots. It is the toughest animal to get a vital organ, and as such, it is not advised to use soft point bullets, use instead something that can penetrate the scales. It is one of the only animals in the game where hitting the liver is technically speaking a vital organ, but will not bring down the animal at all.

## Trivia

* The word 'Alligator' is derived from the Spanish word 'el lagarto' or "the lizard". Apparently in the 1930s, Alligators refered to people who were lovers of swing music.
* The **American Alligator** is one of only TWO extant species in the genus 'Alligator'. The other is the smaller 'Chinese Alligator'.
* The **American Alligator** truly is American! Thanks to conservation efforts, over 5 Million Alligators call the land of the free, home of the brave, their home. \*Salutes in aggressive patriotic fashion
* As the American icon it is, the **American Alligator** is the official mascot for the god awful Florida Gators. #GoDawgs
* America, and specifically Florida, is the only place in the world where both Alligators and Crocodiles live together.
* Despite the **American Alligator** deriving its scientific name form the state of Mississippi, said state boasts one of the smallest populations in the country. Only about 32,000 Alligators live in Mississippi.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/alligator
2. ↑ https://defenders.org/wildlife/american-crocodile-and-alligator
3. ↑ https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/alligators-by-state