American Alligator

Alligator mississippiensis

Easy

The **American Alligator** (*Alligator mississippiensis*) is a large North American crocodilian featured in the *Planet Zoo* North America Animal Pack.

## Zoopedia Description

### General

Population In The Wild: 5,000,000

The American alligator is a large species of crocodilian that lives in the rivers, swamps, marshes, and wetlands of the Southern USA and Mexico. American alligators may be dark green, brown, or grey in color. They have a broad rounded head with a large gape and many teeth, of which some can be seen protruding externally. The body of the American Alligator is broad, with several raised ridges of scales running down their back. Their legs stick out laterally and they move close to the ground but will raise themselves off the ground when running. Male American alligators measure 11 to 15ft in length and weigh 200 to 1377lb. Females measure between 8.5 to 9.9ft in length and weigh 66 to 440lb. American alligators continue growing throughout their lives so can reach very large sizes. They are not endangered and there are estimated to be 5 million American alligators in the wild.

### Social

American alligators are solitary, territorial, and extremely aggressive. Males will tolerate females living on their territory, and females will look after their hatchlings for the first 8 months of their life, but otherwise, they spend their lives alone.

### Reproduction

Alligator males are larger than females. Large body size allows males to defend a large territory and attract females. Males will allow females to live on their territory but will chase off rival males. During the mating season, males will roar to attract females and intimidate rival males. If females on his territory are receptive, the male will circle them in the water before mounting. The male will grasp the female and align their cloacas. Copulation will then occur.

After mating, the female alligator will build a nest out of the mud and sticks ready to lay her eggs. The nest will be 6.5 to 9.9fft wide and 2 to 3ft deep. After carrying her eggs for 4-6 weeks she will lay a clutch of typically 25-30 eggs, although she can lay up to 90. The female will cover them in vegetation to incubate them. After 65 days, the eggs begin to hatch. The hatchlings will make high-pitched cries as they begin to break out of their eggs. The female will remove the vegetation from the top of the nest when she hears this noise to assist them in hatching.

The sex of hatchlings is determined by incubation temperature. If eggs are incubated at 82-86°F, all eggs will be female. If eggs are incubated at 93°F or higher, all eggs will be male. If eggs are incubated between 86°F-93.2°f, there will be a mix. Hatchlings will remain close to their mother for the first year of their life, usually living hidden in vegetated water. The mother will watch them closely and defend them. At 1 year old, the mother will start being aggressive towards her young to encourage them to disperse and become independent. American alligators reach sexual maturity when they reach 1.8 in length and 30kg in weight. At around 10-12 years old. Male American alligators are more likely to successfully mate with females when they are larger in size because they are able to defend a territory that demonstrates their value as a mate.

## Animal Care

 FEEDING STATIONS
 FOOD ENRICHMENT
Underwater Box Feeder · Block of Frozen Fish · Frozen Blood Pumpkin · Restraint Feeder
Blood Scent Marker · Large Ball · Large Snow Ball · Mud Bath · Rubbing Pad · Sprinkler · Water Jet · Water Jet Rock · Rubber Duck · Platform Floats · Rubbing Pad Bark

## Trivia

### Zoopedia Fun Facts

* American alligators lose and regrow teeth throughout their lives, they may go through 3000 teeth in a lifetime.
* American alligator blood is extremely good at fighting off bacteria, meaning alligators that get seriously injured often do not get infections.
* American alligators are among the first reptile species to be observed using tools; they balance branches on their heads to entice neat-building birds to come and pick them up, and they will then attack.
* American alligators are integral to their environment because they create 'alligator holes'- small ponds that retain water through the dry season and provide habitats for multiple species.
* Adult American alligators have the second strongest laboratory-measured bite force, beaten only by the saltwater crocodile.