The American Alligator

The American alligator is a reptile shrouded in mystery and intrigue. These opportunistic feeders lurk in freshwater lakes, swamps, murky ponds, marshes, and bogs of southeastern states of the U.S. Let’s learn more about these intimidating armored-bodied creatures of the wild!

They aren’t exactly pretty

Alligators’ rough and scaly skin, webbed feet, elongated snouts, and large number of sharp teeth make them particularly eerie for human eyes to behold. Their tremendous size adds to the unsavory reputation of these reptiles, with the average male growing 10 to 15 feet long and weighing between 500 to 600 lbs. This makes them the largest reptile in North America. However, let us not get carried away in fear over their large size, as most alligators keep to themselves in the wild. People have learned to coexist with them by maintaining respectful distances and by avoiding activities like swimming in alligator infested waters.

The effects of man

In the 1800s through the mid-1900s, alligators (also called gators), were hunted for skins which were used to make leather products such as alligator purses or shoes. Unfortunately, large scale hunting combined with loss of habitat put them on the brink of extinction. In 1967, the alligator was listed as an endangered species, meaning that alligators were at significant risk of being wiped off the face of the earth. Fortunately, the government stepped in to help, taking measures to outlaw or control hunting of alligators in the wild and working to preserve them. Today, the alligator population has made a tremendous rebound. To help control their presence, licensed and controlled hunting is permitted in some states.

Let’s learn about baby alligators

Alligators are born from eggs that are deposited in nests prepared by the mother. The mother may lay 30 to 70 eggs. She watches over them until they hatch a few months later. The eggs incubate in sun-warmed decomposing vegetation. Per Britannica, “The temperature of the eggs in the nest determines the sex of the alligator. Cooler temperatures produce females, and warmer temperatures produce males.” While still inside the shell, the baby alligators (hatchlings) begin to squeak. When the mother hears this sound, she removes the debris surrounding the eggs and the baby alligator punctures the egg with an egg tooth, the horny growth on the tip of its snout. The mother carries her baby alligators to the water and protects them from predators for the first year of their lives. About 1/3 of alligator nests are destroyed by flooding or by predators like racoons.

Feeding habits

Alligators are nocturnal creatures, meaning that they are active at night. They are also carnivorous, thus they feed on other animals. Gators possess strong jaws that can crack a turtle’s hard shell. They primarily eat fish, snails, small mammals and birds. However, some are known to kill prey as large as deer or cattle. They use their razor-sharp teeth to grab and take hold of prey. However, they swallow small prey whole. Large pray will be shaken apart or bitten into manageable size portions.

Sleeping habits

Some people assume that alligators hibernate. Experts share that technically they do not. Rather, they undergo periods of dormancy. When it’s cold, they dig tunnels in the mud where they sleep. They are also less active during the colder months where they live.  

Cold-blooded creatures

Gators are cold-blooded creatures, meaning that they are unable to regulate their body temperature like warm-blooded animals. Thus, they live in warm places where they can bask in the sun. When it gets uncomfortably warm or cold for them, they hide in their tunnels to protect their bodies.

Mating habits

Alligators typically mate in the spring and have somewhat “complex” mating rituals. The male alligators make a loud throaty sound to attract females. Alligators do a water dance by slapping the water with their jaws and lifting their tails high. They may even push one another underwater and blow bubbles. They are not monogamous, and males breed with different females each season.

Some interesting facts:

• Alligators are among the world’s oldest species. Research demonstrates that they have remained virtually unchanged for at least 8 million years.
• Alligators are frequently compared to crocodiles. Though related, there are many differences between alligators and crocodiles to include habitat, color, snout shape, teeth, overall size and more.
• Alligators are generally less aggressive than crocodiles. American alligators have strong bites, yet crocodile jaws are stronger.
• Unlike most reptiles who have 3-chambered hearts, alligators have four just like mammals and birds.
• Alligator eyes glow in the dark, and glow red at that!
• Alligator blood has antibiotic and antiviral properties. Per studies, their blood can destroy over 20 strains of bacteria, even some resistant to antibiotics.

Alligators need our help

Alligators are intriguing creatures that deserve respect, distance, and protection. Though no longer on the endangered list, the Humane Society explains, “…alligators are still listed as a federally threatened species because of the similarities to crocodiles (who are endangered).” They continue to face threats to their natural habitats from man’s development and destruction of land and from hunting and unregulated trade. It is up to us to peacefully coincide with God’s special creatures, big and small.

For kid-friendly information about alligators and crocodiles, visit YouTube’s Nat Geo Kids Cool Facts about Alligators and Crocodiles

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