📷 (c) Kristen Diesburg, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY
📷 (c) Kristen Diesburg, some rights reserved (CC BY)
📷 no rights reserved
IUCN: Least Concern
American Alligator
Alligator mississippiensis
KingdomAnimalia›PhylumChordata›ClassReptilia›OrderCrocodilia›FamilyAlligatoridae›GenusAlligator
About
The American alligator is a large crocodilian that shapes wetlands by digging gator holes used by many other animals during drought. Once heavily depleted, it recovered through legal protection and habitat management. Mothers guard nests and young, making alligators unusually attentive among reptiles.
Key Facts
⛰Habitat Freshwater marshes, swamps, lakes, rivers, and bayous
🍃Diet Carnivore — fish, turtles, birds, mammals, and invertebrates
📏Size & Weight Body 2.5–4.6 m
•weight 90–450 kg
⏳Lifespan 35–50 years
🗺Range Southeastern United States
ReptileCrocodilian
Key Facts
⛰Habitat Freshwater marshes, swamps, lakes, rivers, and bayous
🍃Diet Carnivore — fish, turtles, birds, mammals, and invertebrates
📏Size & Weight Body 2.5–4.6 m
•weight 90–450 kg
⏳Lifespan 35–50 years
🗺Range Southeastern United States
Photo Credits
#1(c) Kristen Diesburg, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY
#2(c) Kristen Diesburg, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY
#3no rights reserved · CC0
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