American Alligator Alligator mississippiensis
Is that a log or an alligator? The American alligator has great camouflage. They have an “armored” skin with a muscular flat tail. With upward facing nostrils at the end of their snout, they can breathe while the rest of their body is underwater.
ORIGIN:
Southeastern United States
HABITAT:
Swamps, marshes, lakes, and slow-moving rivers
HEIGHT/WEIGHT:
50-1,000 lbs
Length: Up to 19 ft
DIET:
Fish, turtles, mammals, rats, chickens and birds
PREDATORS:
Humans, other alligators
NATURAL DEFENSES:
Can swim up to 20 mph and run up to 11 mph; bumpy skin provides camouflage
REPRODUCTION:
Lay 20-50 eggs; 65-day incubation
THREATS:
Human-populated areas; increased toxins in water
LIFE EXPECTANCY:
Up to 50 yrs in wild
Approximately how long is a new hatchling?
2 in |
6 in |
1 ft | 10 in |
Our animal information came from the following resources…
