AlligatorsAlligators

HabitatHabitat

Alligators are usually found in freshwater, Alligators are usually found in freshwater, in slow-moving rivers. in slow-moving rivers.

They are also found in swamps, They are also found in swamps, marshes, and lakes. marshes, and lakes.

DietDiet

They have very strong jaws that can They have very strong jaws that can crack a turtle shell. crack a turtle shell.

They eat fish, snails and other They eat fish, snails and other invertebrates, birds, frogs, and mammals invertebrates, birds, frogs, and mammals that come to the water's edge. that come to the water's edge.

DescriptionDescription

The average size for an adult female The average size for an adult female American alligator is 8.2 feet. American alligator is 8.2 feet.

The average size for a male is 11.2 feet. The average size for a male is 11.2 feet. Alligators can reach a weight of nearly Alligators can reach a weight of nearly

1,000 pounds.1,000 pounds.

Both males and females have an Both males and females have an "armored" body with a muscular flat tail. "armored" body with a muscular flat tail.

The skin on the back is armored with The skin on the back is armored with embedded bony plates.embedded bony plates.

Alligators have a long snout with upward Alligators have a long snout with upward facing nostrils at the end—this lets them facing nostrils at the end—this lets them breathe while the rest of the body is breathe while the rest of the body is underwater. underwater.

Alligator BabiesAlligator Babies

Alligators lie eggs in nests, which hatch Alligators lie eggs in nests, which hatch after 65 daysafter 65 days

The sex of the juveniles is determined by The sex of the juveniles is determined by the temperature of the nest: above 93° F the temperature of the nest: above 93° F (33.8° C) all are male, below 86° F (30° (33.8° C) all are male, below 86° F (30° C) all are female .C) all are female .

A photo of a baby A photo of a baby alligatoralligator

Interesting ‘gator factsInteresting ‘gator facts

Alligators have between 74 and 80 teeth in their mouth at Alligators have between 74 and 80 teeth in their mouth at a time. As teeth wear down they are replaced. An a time. As teeth wear down they are replaced. An alligator can go through 2,000 to 3,000 teeth in a lifetime. alligator can go through 2,000 to 3,000 teeth in a lifetime.

American alligators may live to about 50 years in the wild. American alligators may live to about 50 years in the wild. Spanish sailors visiting the New World thought the Spanish sailors visiting the New World thought the

unfamiliar alligator was a huge lizard. In Spanish, unfamiliar alligator was a huge lizard. In Spanish, el el lagartolagarto means the lizard. English sailors took the name means the lizard. English sailors took the name as as allagarterallagarter and in time it has become alligator. and in time it has become alligator.

The alligator became the official state reptile of Florida in The alligator became the official state reptile of Florida in 1987. 1987.

Alligators are hunted mostly for their skins, but also they Alligators are hunted mostly for their skins, but also they are hunted for meat. are hunted for meat.

An underwater view of an alligator