COMMON NAMES:
American alligator, Mississippi alligator, Pike-headed alligator "gator�
RANGE:
Southeast United States
SIZE: Males: length: 15 feet weight: 400 lbs.
Females: length: 8 feet weight, 160 lbs.
Largest reptile in North America
DIET: Carnivore: Fish, Small mammals, and Birds.
Young eat: Insects, worms, and small fish.
STATUS: Formerly endangered, is now threatened due to the protection given to them. Limited, licensed hunting is allowed in a few areas. Over a million can be found today in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, and Georgia. Once hunted for their hides, alligators today are threatened mainly by habitat loss and encounters with people.
SENSES: Good binocular vision
Movement: Will slide on its belly, walk, or gallop for short distances when out on the land. It is an excellent swimmer and uses its hind feet as rudders in the water.
Crocodiles and Alligators: Comparison to crocodile: Alligators have a broader, blunter head and a shorter snout than crocodiles. When an alligator�s mouth is closed, you cannot see its teeth however with a crocodile you can.
History: A member of the crocodile family, alligators are living fossils that can be traced back 230 million years.
Survival: Alligators can live 35 to 50 years in the wild. In captivity, they can survive 60-80 years.
Scientific Name: Alligator Mississippians
ORDER: Crocodilian
FAMILY: Alligatoridae
GENUS: Alligator
SPECIES: mississippiensis
