The American Alligator otherwise known as the gator or common alligator has tough, scaly skin and a wide snout to hold over 75 teeth. They live in groups called congregations, with around 20 to 25 in every congregation.
Size
It is one of the biggest alligators in the world with a length of 3.4 to 4.6 metres and a weight of 453kg. The males are on average slightly longer and heavier than most females.
Location
These alligators live around the south and south-east of America. They can be found in 8 country/states such as Florida, Mexico and even as far as North Carolina. American alligators normally dwell in and around swamps, marshland and grassland.
Gator Population
There is an estimated population of around 5 million individuals in the wild which makes them*least concern. This huge population is still growing so if you want to see one your in luck. *I’m not to overly surprised at all that they are least concern though.
Alligatoridae Family Group
This gator is in the Alligatoridae family which includes over 10 different species. Out of the whole family the American alligator is the longest and heaviest of them all. But unlike some of their cousins the crocodilians, they cannot survive saltwater.
Diet
American Alligators have a very varied diet because of their wide snout and that the habitats they live in are full of tasty prey. When an alligator is at the juvenile stage it will eat insects, small fish, amphibians and other invertebrates. Whereas adults will eat all fish, snakes, turtles, small mammals and birds.
Predators
When the gators are juvenile they can be very vulnerable to numerous different species, such as raccoons, otters, wading birds and fish. Unlike their young, larger and older alligators do not have many predators. They could be hurt by humans and other larger gators in territorial fights.
Fun Facts
When old teeth get worn out new ones grow into their place. On average a gator can go through around 3,000 teeth in its lifetime.
If you enjoyed reading my post about American Alligators I’m sure you will love my Cheetah information page.
