The American alligator is one of the most recognizable reptiles in North America. It lives in freshwater wetlands across the southeastern United States and has made a remarkable recovery from near-extinction in the 20th century.
Adults typically reach 3 to 4.5 meters in length, though some males grow larger. The broad, rounded snout is the easiest way to tell an alligator from a crocodile. When the mouth is closed, the fourth tooth of the lower jaw fits into a socket in the upper jaw and is not visible from the side—unlike in crocodiles.
Habitat and behavior
Alligators prefer slow-moving rivers, marshes, swamps, and lakes. They dig “gator holes” that hold water during dry periods and provide habitat for fish, birds, and other wildlife. They are primarily nocturnal hunters and eat fish, turtles, birds, and mammals. Large adults will occasionally take deer or feral hogs.
Females build mound nests of vegetation and mud. They lay 20 to 50 eggs and guard the nest. The temperature of the nest determines the sex of the hatchlings—warmer temperatures produce more males.
Conservation success
Once hunted heavily for their skin, American alligators were listed as endangered in the 1960s. Strong protection and management allowed populations to rebound. They were removed from the endangered species list in 1987 and are now listed as Least Concern. Regulated hunting and farming still occur in some states.
Today they are common enough in parts of Florida and Louisiana that people regularly see them in canals, golf course ponds, and even suburban neighborhoods. They remain powerful predators and should always be given plenty of space.
