Alligators

A.In an alligators snout, about 74 to 80 teeth at a time are in it

1 An average alligator can go through 2,000 to 3,000 teeth in a lifetime

They loose teeth by catching their prey and eating it

Alligators have wider U-shaped snouts while, crocodiles
have more of a V-shaped snout

It easy to define an alligator by their teeth

Modern Alligators have many adaptations

Skin extremely tough

Are cold-blooded

Have extremely thick plates

Rough skin for stalking their prey, which looks like a floating log

When they mature they eat different food such
as larger fish such as gar, turtles, and various mammals particularly coypu, and muskrat

Small alligators get eaten by eagles, egrets and herons and so do carnivorous mammals such as wild pigs

Have been living for millions of years

Described as living fossils

Can live up to 30-50 years old (average)

Crocodiles and alligators live side by side in only
in South Florida

Males average body weight: 1,000 pounds or a half of a ton

Grows about 2" per year to 12" per year, depending
on the habitat the alligator is living in

American alligators occur in Florida, southern Texas,
Louisiana and parts of North and South Carolina Georgia and Alabama

The majority of American alligator inhabit Florida and
Louisiana

The alligators range appears to have been increasing northward in the last few years

When young alligators eat fish, insects, snails, crustaceans
and worms

Alligators are carnivores

Were extinct by hunters killing them in their natural
habitat

After they were listed under the Endangered Species Act, hunting was prohibited and their habitat was protected

The reptiles were hunted close to extinction

The species has made a dramatic recovery and was removed from the endangered species list in 1987

When they hatch the life cycle starts again

Lay about 10 to 70 eggs at a time

Most of them don't die of natural causes

Could die of starvation

Could die of their predators

Mate in June

Hatchling's can go catch food when they are first born

In September, when the young are ready to hatch, she will help them by moving the excess debris from the eggshell from when they are born

lay 20-50 eggs average

Takes 65 days to hatch after mating

Eggs are gender neutral pending on the temperature incubation, will determine if it's a male of female.

86 degrees F it will be a male

temperatures below 86 F will be female

Alligators are social creatures

often stay in groups called " congregations"

groups typical are being seen basking in the sun
or taking a swim

This is because they can control their temperatures internally

Used water to hunt

Alligators are found only in the US and China where
Crocodiles can be found across the world

Alligators prefer more of freshwater while, crocodiles like more of a salty water

Crocodiles are more of a lighter green other then alligators are darker green

Alligators, seem more tame compared to crocodiles

Alligators have webbed back feet

Webbed feet come in handy for swimming quickly

Some amphibians and reptiles have webbed feet and they use them in the same ways as birds

An alligators tail can be used to swim faster in water
to catch prey

An Alligator uses it's powerful tail to propel itself
through water

While alligators are fast in water they are generally slow
on land

The tail accounts for half of an alligators length

The largest males and females will defend prime territory

Large male alligators are solitary, territorial animals