American Alligator
Alligator mississippiensis
Alligators vs. Crocodiles-Do you know the differences?
Alligators: rounded, U-shaped snouts; no bottom teeth showing when mouth closed; live in primarily freshwater habitats; typically smaller than crocodiles
Crocodiles: pointed, V-shaped snouts; fourth tooth on each side of bottom jaw showing when mouth closed; have salt glands to enable them to live in saltwater or brackish (salt and fresh mixed) habitats; typically larger than alligators
-Alligators have five toes on their front legs and only four on the back!
-They use strong jaws to eat: turtles, fishes, frogs, birds, and small mammals
-During the months of November-March, they eat very little or nothing as they conserve energy during the cold winter
-They swallow prey whole and shake larger prey into smaller pieces
-Found in North Carolina to the Rio Grande in Texas
-Mating Season: May
-Offspring: 35-50 eggs are laid and incubated
-Near the end of August when the eggs have hatched in the nest
-The young make high-pitched noises letting the mother know to remove the vegetation that covered the nest
HERE AT ALAMEDA:
We have two female alligators that come out of the pond area one at a time because they tend to fight with one another. Their names are 'Rocky' and 'Lilly'.
If you don’t spot one right away, look carefully into the water where they blend in very well.
Alligator mississippiensis
Alligators vs. Crocodiles-Do you know the differences?
Alligators: rounded, U-shaped snouts; no bottom teeth showing when mouth closed; live in primarily freshwater habitats; typically smaller than crocodiles
Crocodiles: pointed, V-shaped snouts; fourth tooth on each side of bottom jaw showing when mouth closed; have salt glands to enable them to live in saltwater or brackish (salt and fresh mixed) habitats; typically larger than alligators
-Alligators have five toes on their front legs and only four on the back!
-They use strong jaws to eat: turtles, fishes, frogs, birds, and small mammals
-During the months of November-March, they eat very little or nothing as they conserve energy during the cold winter
-They swallow prey whole and shake larger prey into smaller pieces
-Found in North Carolina to the Rio Grande in Texas
-Mating Season: May
-Offspring: 35-50 eggs are laid and incubated
-Near the end of August when the eggs have hatched in the nest
-The young make high-pitched noises letting the mother know to remove the vegetation that covered the nest
HERE AT ALAMEDA:
We have two female alligators that come out of the pond area one at a time because they tend to fight with one another. Their names are 'Rocky' and 'Lilly'.
If you don’t spot one right away, look carefully into the water where they blend in very well.