TaxonomyKingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Crocodylia

Family: Alligatoridae

Genus: Alligator

Species: Alligator mississippiensis

Distribution

Natural HistoryAmerican Alligator — Alligator mississippiensis

Habitat:Swamps, streams, rivers, ponds and lakes

Size:Average Length – Males 4.6 m (15 ft.)Average Length – Females 3 m (9.8 ft.)

Physical Characteristics:- Long armored body- Eyes on top of the head- Long, broad, rounded snout- 74-80 teeth- Four short legs- Long muscular tail

Coloration:Young – Black with bright yellow blotches/stripesAdults – Uniform dark color

Lifespan:Wild – 30-35 yearsCaptivity – 50+ years

DietCarnivorous Apex Predator

Food Sources:Fish, turtles, birds, snakes, frogs, small mammals and sometimes carrion

Fruit Eating:Wild grapes, elderberries and citrus fruits

Technique:Small Prey – Swallowed wholeMedium Prey – Shaken apartSmall Prey – Bite and spin to tear off pieces

Zoo Diets:Rabbits, chickens and rats

LocomotionModes:

- Swimming- Walking (Low Walk}- Running (High Walk)

ReproductionSexual Maturity: 10-12 Years

Breeding Season: April- MayBellowing

Gestation Period: 60-65 days

Eggs Hatch: August

Individual History

American Alligator ConservationThe IUCN Red List (1996)

Status: Least Concern

U.S. Endangered Species ListListed as Endangered: March 11, 1967Taken off the List: June 4, 1987

Educational Purpose/Fun Facts- Florida’s state Reptile- Gator Holes- Headslaps & Jawclaps

Works Citedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_alligator#Characteristics

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/american-alligator/

https://www.defenders.org/american-alligator/basic-facts

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/reptilesamphibians/facts/factsheets/americanalligator.cfm

http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/animal-bytes/animalia/eumetazoa/coelomates/deuterostomes/chordata/craniata/reptilia/crocodylia/american-alligator.htm

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/46583/0

http://evergladessafaripark.com/blog/everglades-national-park/how-we-rescued-the-american-alligator-from-extinction/#.Uk08nBYlVG4

www.fws.gov/