American Alligator

 

 

American Alligator Description

There is plenty to be learned when it comes to the American Alligator. A common question is about them being white in color. While it is true that they can be it is also very rare. Only a fraction of them actually have this coloring as both of the parents must have the gene for it. Today, genetic testing can be done that shows which ones have it. This is why there are higher numbers of such offspring born in captivity.

Most of these alligators feature a very dark coloring though – much darker than any of the other species of alligators out there. They can grow to be quite large too with the males usually close to 14 feet and the females close to 10 feet. Their weight varies significantly depending on the location where they are found.

American Alligator Anatomy

Like all alligators they feature very strong jaws and very sharp teeth. These are the tools that help them to successfully take down prey that is much larger than they are. The use of their tail is also a weapon to corral their prey when they need additional strength to keep them in place. The tail can account for several feet of the overall body size for these animals.

American Alligator Evolution

There isn’t much to explain when it comes to the evolution of the American Alligator. What you see is what you get and that same concept has been true all through time. There is very little evidence of any alligators evolving which shows how the complex nature of their bodies has been a very good design. They have been able to survive what nature and man has sent their way.

American Alligator Behavior

Even though the body of the American Alligator hasn’t changed much, they have been successful in a variety of others ways. Experts that have carefully studied them are truly amazed by the level of intelligence that these animals display. They are able to problem solve which definitely helps them to adapt to their environment.

They are careful observers, and know what movements different animals will make. This is why they make it seem so effortless to successfully take down their prey. They have studied them and know with some certainty what they will be doing and what they will be evaluating in their surroundings.

American Alligator Habitat and Distribution

This particular species of alligator is only native to areas of the United States. They require an environment is humid and has warm temperatures. They are able to live in both saltwater and freshwater. However, more than 90% of them live in freshwater areas. It seems that many of them are being pushed into saltwater though due to a lack of location. They are at the mercy of humans because they continue to take over land these alligators once freely roamed.

Florida has more American Alligators than any other place. The last estimated count was approximately 2 million of them. Additional millions of these animals are scattered around Texas, Georgia, and Louisiana. They try to remain in one area but if they feel threatened for food is hard to find they may branch out. This is why territories there were once unknown to have them seem to be detecting larger numbers of them.

American Alligator Feeding Habits

You may assume that such animals have to eat constantly. However, they have a very slow metabolism so they are able to eat infrequently. This could be a primary reason why they have been able to survive for millions of years and other animals simply couldn’t. They can eat lots of different mammals but rodents are a huge part of their diet. For the larger American Alligators it isn’t unreasonable for them to consume deer and cattle.

They are also known to consume humans even though they don’t hunt for them as some people think. Yet they are instinctive predators and they aren’t about to pass up a chance to get a great meal. Humans that live in these areas or that visit need to be fully aware of the danger that may be lurking in the waters.

Believe it or not, the American Alligator actually serves a purpose when it comes to the rodents in their habitat. Without so many of them being consumed by these animals it would be an epidemic to contend with. The living conditions are right for them and they have an extremely fast rate of reproduction.

They swallow food in very large pieces that sit heavily at the pit of the stomach. To help with digestion they consume stones. The grinding action of them helps to break down the food. For those that have seen the American Alligator consuming rocks and was puzzled, you now have an understanding of why it takes place.

American Alligator Reproduction

Even though it is always warm where these alligators live, in the spring time that is kicked up a couple of notches. As the heat rolls in so does the urge for mating. The males are the pursuers and they will go to great lengths to get other males out of the way. Once they have mated with a female they will leave her. Their goal is to mate with as many of them as they can.

Each female can create from 20 to 50 eggs with her body. She has the duty of creating a sizable nest on the land for them to be placed in. She will stay close to her eggs as much as she can. However, it takes about 65 days for them to emerge. Realistically, she can’t go without food that long. She also needs the water so she can cool her body from the heat.

Instinctively though she has a good idea of when the young will be born. Her duty is then to help them out of the shells and into the water. There she will do all she can to protect them from birds and turtles trying to feed on them. Even so, a large number of them will be lost due to these predators.

American Alligator Predators

As an American Alligator gets larger though it has less and less to be afraid of. Well, at least in terms of other animals. By the time it is full grown there isn’t a single one that will challenge it. The aggressive nature and power of this animal has a reputation that none will mess with.

The challenges for it come from humans that don’t like sharing the same areas with them. Of course the American alligator was there first but most humans tend to forget that quickly enough. As a result of this they are constantly hunting them in an effort to clear them out. They also hunt them so that their skin can be sold to be offered for leather goods. That is a million dollar industry so there is plenty of incentive to take part in it.

There are also thrill seeking hunters that want to do all they can to get a good hunt it. With the high number of American Alligators out there, they don’t have to worry about laws to prevent it. In fact, such hunting is often encouraged to keep the population of these alligators from becoming overwhelming.

 

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