Alligator | Description, Habitat, Size, Diet, & Facts (2024)

reptile

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Also known as: Alligator

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Alligator (

Alligator mississippiensis

)

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Related Topics:
reptile
American alligator
Chinese alligator

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alligator, (genus Alligator), either of two crocodilians related to the tropical American caimans (family Alligatoridae). Alligators, like other crocodilians, are large animals with powerful tails that are used both in defense and in swimming (see also crocodile). Their eyes, ears, and nostrils are placed on top of their long head and project slightly above the water when the reptiles float at the surface, as they often do. Alligators can be differentiated from true crocodiles by the form of their jaw and teeth. Alligators possess a broad U-shaped snout and have an “overbite”; that is, all the teeth of the lower jaw fit within (are lingual to) the teeth of the upper jaw. The large fourth tooth on each side of the alligator’s lower jaw fits into a socket in the upper jaw. Usually, no lower teeth are visible when the mouth is closed. In contrast, true crocodiles have a narrow V-shaped snout, and the large fourth tooth on each side of the lower jaw projects outside the snout when the mouth is closed. Alligators are carnivorous and live along the edges of permanent bodies of water, such as lakes, swamps, and rivers. They commonly dig burrows in which they rest and avoid weather extremes. The average life span of alligators is about 50 years in the wild. However, there have been reports of some specimens living beyond 70 years of age in captivity.

The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), the larger of the two species, is found in the southeastern United States. It is black with yellow banding when young and is generally brownish when adult. The maximum length is about 4.5 metres (15 feet), but it more typically ranges from about 3 to 3.4 metres (9.8 to 11.1 feet). The American alligator has been hunted for its hide, and its young have been sold in large numbers as pets. It disappeared from many areas where it was once abundant and was later given legal protection from hunters until it made an excellent comeback and limited hunting seasons were again established. The adult alligator feeds mainly on fishes, small mammals, and birds but may sometimes take prey as large as deer or cattle. Members of both sexes hiss, and the males also give loud roars that carry over considerable distances. During the breeding season, the female builds a mound nest of detritus and vegetation in which she buries between 35 and 39 hard-shelled eggs on average. She guards the eggs and may at this time be dangerous. Members of this species usually avoid humans.

Britannica QuizAnimal Group Names

The Chinese alligator (A. sinensis) is a much smaller, little-known reptile found in the Yangtze River region of China. It is similar to the larger form but attains a maximum length of about 2.1 metres (7 feet)—although usually growing to 1.5 metres—and is blackish with faint yellowish markings. Fewer than 200 Chinese alligators are thought to remain, and thus the species is considered critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by John P. Rafferty.

Alligator | Description, Habitat, Size, Diet, & Facts (2024)

FAQs

Alligator | Description, Habitat, Size, Diet, & Facts? ›

Alligators are carnivorous and live along the edges of permanent bodies of water, such as lakes, swamps, and rivers. They commonly dig burrows in which they rest and avoid weather extremes. The average life span of alligators is about 50 years in the wild.

What is the alligator diet and habitat? ›

These reptiles are usually found in slow-moving freshwater rivers, but also inhabit swamps, marshes, and lakes. American alligators are carnivores. They eat fish, invertebrates, frogs, birds, and mammals. They use their sharp teeth to capture prey, and their strong jaws are powerful enough to crack a turtle's shell.

What is the size of alligator habitat? ›

Female alligators usually remain in a small area. Males can occupy areas greater than two square miles. Both males and females extend their ranges during the breeding season. Young alligators remain in the area where they are hatched and where their mother protects them.

What are 3 foods alligators eat? ›

Alligators are opportunistic feeders. Their diets include prey species that are abundant and easily accessible. Juvenile alligators eat primarily insects, amphibians, small fish, and other invertebrates. Adult alligators eat rough fish, snakes, turtles, small mammals, and birds.

What are alligators afraid of? ›

Alligators have a natural fear of humans, and usually begin a quick retreat when approached by people. If you have a close encounter with an alligator a few yards away, back away slowly. It is extremely rare for wild alligators to chase people, but they can run up to 35 miles per hour for short distances on land.

What meat do alligators eat? ›

Fish, mollusks, birds, and small mammals are all prey for alligators, which are primarily carnivorous. Fruits are sometimes deliberately consumed by them. Scientists have discovered only two alligator species, both of which can be found in two different regions of the world.

How often do alligators eat? ›

Alligator jaw muscles have little strength for opening their mouth, but the muscles that shut them are very strong and have awesome force, about 300 pounds per square inch in an adult. Alligators do not require as much food as we do. In the summer a large alligator may only eat once or twice a week.

How long do alligators live without food? ›

Alligators can survive two to three years without eating. Alligators are one of the few reptiles today that care for their young. Alligators have vibration sensors on their skin that are extremely sensitive -- they can detect even the slightest vibration and get out of harm's way long before it arrives.

Can alligators climb trees? ›

Both Crocodiles and Alligators can climb trees and they've both been spotted perched on tree branches as high up as 30 feet. And they're so good at climbing that NASA had to start installing special Alligator proof chain link fences.

Can alligators eat raw chicken? ›

Feeding time - they feed them raw chicken. Alligators only eat 70 lbs of meat per year.

Where do alligators sleep? ›

They create a “gator hole” along the waterway that provides protection during extreme weather conditions. They essentially dig tunnels in the mud where they sleep, and when they come out of the gator hole, other animals come in and inhabit the area.

What is gator meat called? ›

It is categorized as game meat, as it is naturally lean in fat and packed with protein. In terms of taste and saturated fat amount, gator meat shares properties with chicken as well as fish. Whether the meat is from the tail or another cut, the meat retains twice as much protein as a serving of beef of the same size.

What are alligators weaknesses? ›

The only weakness is a brain the size of a lima bean that limits thinking to eat, bite, fight, mate and start all over. After 8 feet the only real threat to an alligator is another alligator or man.

How many days do alligators live? ›

American alligators reportedly live about 30 to 50 years in the wild. But gators in captivity live longer. Most can live up to 70 years old.

Which state has the most alligators? ›

Louisiana and Florida have the largest alligator populations—there are more than one million wild alligators in each state. Although alligators can be found in ponds, lakes, canals, rivers, swamps, and bayous in Louisiana, they are most common in our coastal marshes.

What eats an alligator? ›

What are the natural predators of alligators? Baby alligators — other alligators, and any appropriately-sized predator (large snakes, large fish, large turtles, birds such as herons and hawks, mammals such as otters and bobcats). Adult alligators — other alligators, and humans. Not much can take on an adult alligator.

What is the habitat of a crocodile? ›

They live in brackish or saltwater areas, and can be found in ponds, coves, and creeks in mangrove swamps. They are occasionally being encountered inland in freshwater areas of the SE Florida coast as a result of the extensive canal system.

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