Description:
Scientific name: Alligator mississippiensis
Life span: 30 – 50 years
The American alligator, also known as a gator or common alligator, is a large reptile.
The American alligator is a species of enormous size that belongs to the reptile family. The typical alligator has small legs that enable it to sprint and even gallop despite its size. The front legs of the American alligator have five toes, whereas the hind legs have four. The enormous fourth tooth of the lower jaw fits into a large cavity in the upper jaw when it shuts its mouth, making it invisible from the outside. The tail of American alligators is smooth, while their bodies are armored.
Native Region/Habitat
American alligators can be found in the wild across the Southeast of the country, from South Carolina’s Low Country south through Florida’s Everglades National Park in the west to the southeast region of Texas. They are endemic to both the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Parts of North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas and Oklahoma are among the states where they can be found. These places have populations that are frequently tiny but productive, and some of them seem to have been established quite recently. American alligators can be found in rivers, freshwater ponds, saturated areas, swamps, and other habitats. Alligators can be found in saltwater habitats, though.
Behavior:
American alligators are nocturnal and diurnal creatures that are active all day. Large burrows in the ground serve as their houses, or dens. Alligators love to sunbathe throughout the warm months of the year, despite the fact that they use dens for protection. Male American alligators in particular, who are large animals, protect their territory and live alone. Yet, smaller ones stick together more. Alligators are mostly quiescent in the winter. They carve tunnels up to 65 feet long in the water, leaving the top portion above the surface. In cases of severe weather, these caverns provide shelter.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
It is permissible to keep exotic animals as pets in some areas of the United States, but it is still strongly advised against doing so because these animals can be aggressive and will not think twice about turning their people into their next meal.
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