American AlligatorHarley Campbell

Physical Characteristics • The alligator can be

up to 18 feet long.

Lifespan• The alligator can live

35-50 years. • It can live from 60-80

years.

Eating Habits/Diet• The alligator is an

omnivore.• It eats fish, turtles,

mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Population• There are about 5

million alligators in the Southeastern US.• There are about 1

million in Florida.

Habitat/Range• The habitat is

swamps in Florida, Texas, North and South Caroline, Georgia, and Alabama.

Adaptations• The teeth are used

for ripping and tearing prey.• The claws are for

catching prey.• The tail is for

swimming in the water.

Fun Facts• They can swim 20

miles per hour.• They have no vocal

cords.

Endangered because• The alligator is

endangered because people overhunted it for its skin and people destructed its habitat.

Reference• Defenders of the Wild. 2012.• www.defenders.org