Biology | Waterworld » Welcome to the Alligator Habitat

Source: http://www.doksinet Welcome to the Alligator Habitat Alligator Classification Class: Reptilia Order: Crocodylia Family: Alligatoridae Genus: Alligator Species: mississippiensis Who Are Alligators? American alligators are the largest members of the class Reptilia that inhabit North America. The term Reptilia is Latin for the phrase “to creep.” Alligators share the order Crocodylia with crocodiles, caimans, and gavials⎯all which are large, voracious animals that live in or near water. Alligators and caimans make up the family Alligatoridae, but alligators have their own genus, Alligator. There are two living species of Alligators, the American alligator and the Chinese alligator. The species that lives in United States is known as the Alligator mississippiensis. What Do They Look Like? The American alligator has a large, slightly rounded body with thick limbs, a broad head, and a very powerful tail. Its snout is wide and rounded, and its yellow-brown eyes are located

on the top of its head. Its four short legs have webbed feet, with five toes on the front feet and only four toes on the back feet. The skin of an alligator is extremely thick and acts as a suit of armor. The alligator has osteoderms, or scutes, on its back, which are small, embedded bony plates that strengthen this layer of protection. An alligator can be green, olive, brown, grey, or black, and its stomach is generally white. The color of the alligator depends on the vegetation that is growing in or nearby the water it lives in. If the water is full of algae, the alligator will be more green, but if there is a high amount of tannic acid in the trees above, it will be more black. Source: http://www.doksinet Alligator Habitat Habitat American alligators lay low to the ground with an average height of only twenty inches. An adult alligator measures between six and nineteen feet from snout to tail, with its tail making up about half of its length. On average, adult males are about

eleven feet long and adult females are about eight feet long. The body weight of one of these reptiles is usually about 800 pounds, but very large, old males can weigh up to 1,000 pounds! What Are Their Senses Like? The alligator usually has about 80 teeth in its mouth at one time. New teeth will replace old teeth as they wear down, so the alligator may go through between 2000 or 3000 teeth in a lifetime! This reptile has two upward slits for nostrils at the end of its long snouts. The shape and placement of these nostrils allow for the alligator to breathe while the rest of its body is underwater. The alligator also has a great sense of smell, which helps it find food Its eyes are located on the top of the its head, which serves as a similar advantage as the location of the nostrilsthe alligator can search for prey while the rest of their body remains hidden by the water. Its vision is sharp during the daytime and nighttime. The alligator has slits for pupils that can open wider and

allow more light in than round pupils, which enhances its ability to see. In the dark, the eyes of a large alligator will grow red and the eyes of a small alligator will glow green. In addition to an upper and a lower eyelid, the alligator has a third eyelid. This third eyelid is a clear membrane that protects its eyes and allows it to distinguish between light and dark objects when they go underwater. The alligator has slits on either side of its heads that allow it to hear. These slits close up when the reptile goes underwater to prevent water from entering its inner ear. An alligator’s tongue is covered with taste buds and is attached to its bottom jaw, making the tongue immobile. Along with all other crocodilians, alligators have additional sense organs⎯known as integumentary sense organs (ISOs)⎯which are located in the upper jaw, the lower jaw, the nose, and around the eyes. The function of these sense organs is still unknown, but they are thought to detect pressure

changes or changes in salinity, which would help the alligators find prey. How Can You Tell the Difference Between Alligators and Crocodiles? Alligators are commonly mistaken for crocodiles, but there are several factors that help distinguish the two from one another. The easiest way to tell them apart is by examining their snouts Crocodiles have very long, narrow, V-shaped snouts, while alligators have wider, more rounded Ushaped snouts. A crocodile’s upper and lower jaws are about the same size, so the interlocking upper and lower teeth are visible when it closes its mouth. An alligator’s upper jaw is wider than its lower jaw so only the upper teeth can be seen. The other main difference between the two is the 2 Source: http://www.doksinet Alligator Habitat Habitat type of water they live in. Both reptiles have special glands in their tongues that can get rid of salt, but these glands are much stronger and more efficient in crocodiles. For this reason, it is more common for a

crocodile to live in saltwater. Since alligators have a much lower toleration of salt, they prefer to live in freshwater or brackish water. What Is Their Place in Nature? The alligator, like most reptiles, is a cold-blooded animal that relies on its environment for body heat. It is a very good swimmer that can stay underwater for up to eight hours without taking a breath! On land, it is capable of short bursts of speed at about ten miles per hour. Alligators are very important predators to the ecosystem, controlling the populations of the animals they prey on and providing shelter for other animals with their abandoned gator holes. Are They Endangered? Alligators have inhabited the earth since the Age of Reptiles, which occurred during the Cretaceous period about 98 million years ago. The American alligator was on the verge of extinction in the early 1900s, and it was listed as an endangered species. Fortunately, the Alligator mississippiensis has made a remarkable recovery, due to

heavy protection and conservation efforts. In 1987, this species was taken off of the endangered species list and is now currently considered to be on the IUCN’s “Least Concern” list. What Do They Eat? A young alligator will eat insects, small fish, frogs, tadpoles, larvae, shrimp, snails, spiders, worms, and other smaller prey. An adult alligator hunts anything that crosses its path, including fish, birds, turtles, snakes, mammals, amphibians, and even smaller alligators. Alligators mostly hunt in the water but they will also hunt on land, up to 170 feet from the water. If food supply is limited, they may resort to eating carrion. It is dangerous to feed alligators because they become reliant on being fed by humans and begin approaching them more aggressively, demanding food. There have been accounts of alligators mistaking small dogs, cats, and small children as prey, so it is important to take precautions when around alligator-infested waters. How Do They Hunt? The alligator

has extremely strong jaws that can even break through the shell of a turtle! Most of the muscle in its jaw provides power in closing the jaws, though, so its ability to open its mouth is relatively weak. An alligator’s mouth can be held shut by the bare hands of an adult man When hunting, the alligator uses its crushing jaw power to grip and bite its prey. If the prey is a smaller 3 Source: http://www.doksinet Alligator Habitat animal, Habitatthe alligator will toss it up and swallow it whole. If the victim is a larger animal, gators will grab the prey and drag it in the water to drown it. It is more difficult to swallow large animals whole, so the alligator will tear pieces off and toss them up in the air, as they do with smaller prey. Gastroliths, or stomach stones, are often found in the gizzards (stomachs) of alligators. The purpose of these gastroliths is to grind up the large pieces of food in the stomach, which aids with digestion. What Dangers Do They Face? Alligators

are not immune to poisonous snake bites, despite the myth that claims that they are. In reality, the alligator’s armored skin is just so thick that the poison is often unable to break through, which keeps it protected. Moreover, alligator eggs and hatchlings are in danger of other animals, serving as prey for raccoons, large fish, birds, and even other alligators. Adult alligators are so high up on the food chain that their only true predators are humans. At one time, hunting was prohibited in Florida because of the status of their population, but they were still illegally poached. Today, alligator farming is a growing industry in Florida, as well as in other states like Georgia, Texas, and Louisiana. Alligators are farmed for their hides, as well as for their meat. Their hides are used to make leather shoes, belts, bags, and other accessories, while their meat is used for jerky, jambalayas, soups, and stew. Where Do Alligators Live? American alligators are most commonly found in

the southeastern United States, such as Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Texas. Florida and Louisiana have the largest populations of alligators in America, with each inhabited by around 1.5 million alligators. The only other species of alligator, the Alligator sinensis, is found in China and is a much smaller version of the American alligator. The United States is the only country in the world where alligators and crocodiles live side by side. What Is Their Habitat in the Wild Like? Because they have a low tolerance for salt, the majority of alligators inhabit freshwater. They can only handle being exposed to salt water for a small length of time, but will sometimes live in brackish water. These reptiles favor calmer waters and primarily occupy swamps and marshes. They can also be found in rivers, lakes, and other small bodies of water. Alligators require a sufficient amount of prey, mud, and vegetation when choosing a place to live, and generally

prefer to live in warmer climates. They are most active in warmer weather, 4 Source: http://www.doksinet Alligator Habitat Habitat as their metabolisms begin to slow down at about 70 °F. Alligators can, however, survive through freezing temperatures if they are in the water. To do this, they must keep their nostrils above the frozen surface so that they can still breathe while their bodies are trapped in the ice. The Alligator mississippiensis generally shies away from human civilization, but there have been accounts of alligators crossing roads, entering suburbs, and relaxing in swimming pools during the drier months. Where Do They Live? Alligators spend the majority of their time lurking in the water in search of prey or sunbathing on land. They are known to create burrows, which are commonly referred to as “gator holes,” by digging with their snouts and tails. These dens are holes or tunnels up to 20 feet deep made in mud banks or soil, and they provide shelter and a place

for hibernation in colder weather. Gator holes prove to be extremely valuable to the ecosystem because they contain water, even in drier seasons. When it becomes too dry, the alligator will abandon its den and create another one at a new location. Other animals will take advantage of the alligator’s abandoned dens and will use them as a new home. How Do Alligator Families Live? A male alligator is known as a bull, a female alligator is called a cow, and baby alligators are referred to as hatchlings. Large male alligators prefer to live alone and are very defensive over their territories. Smaller alligators are more tolerant of the presence of other alligators and are more likely to live in closer proximity to other gators. A congregation is a group of alligators, in which smaller alligators are submissive to the largest, most dominant alligator. What Is Their Life Cycle? Alligators are polygamous animals, meaning they have several mates throughout their lifetime. Alligators begin

searching for a mate in April and then breed in May. Males make low, bellowing sounds to attract a female. After mating, the mother builds a nest and lays between 20 and 50 eggs that take about 65 days to hatch. The nest is usually about three feet high and seven feet wide, and it is made using nearby vegetation and mud. It is elevated to prevent water from flooding the eggs and killing the 5 Source: http://www.doksinet Alligator Habitat Habitat baby alligators. The mother does not sit on the eggs like a chicken would, but covers the eggs with vegetation and then guards them from predators such as raccoons, large fish, birds and even other alligators. The babies will make a high-pitched noise to inform their mother when they are ready to hatch. She helps clear the covering of the nest and scoops up eight to ten of the hatchlings at a time and carries them to the water. The gender of an alligator is determined by the temperature of egg incubation. If the temperature is less than 86

°F, then all the babies will be females; if the temperature is greater than 93 °F, then only males will be produced; and if the temperature is between 86°F and 93 °F, then a mixture of males and females will be born. Baby alligators typically stay with their mother for at least a year, and sometimes up to three years. Rather than becoming sexually mature at a specific age, the American alligator becomes sexually mature at a certain length, which is about six feet. Alligators generally live between 35 and 50 years in the wild, but some may live to be up to 80 years! 6 Source: http://www.doksinet Alligator Habitat Habitat References and Further Reading “Alligator.” Animal Planet 21 February 2012 <http://animalshowstuffworkscom/reptiles/alligator-info2htm> “Alligator.” New World Encyclopedia 21 February 2012 <http://www.newworldencyclopediaorg/en-try/Alligator> “Alligator Facts.” Florida Beach Lifestyle 18 September 2011

<http://wwwflorida-beachlifestylecom/alligator-factshtml> “Alligator mississippiensis.” IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 20 February 2012 <http://www.iucnredlistorg/apps/redlist/details/46583/0> “Alligatoridae.” New World Encyclopedia 21 February 2012 <http://www.newworldencyclopediaorg/entry/Alligatoridae> “Alligators.” Animal Corner 18 September 2011 <http://www.animalcornercouk/reptiles/rep alligatorhtml> “American Alligator.” Smithsonian National Zoological Park 21 February 2012 <http://nationalzoo.siedu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/ Americanalligator.cfm> “American Alligator.” Tallahassee Museum 10 February 2012 <http://tallahasseemuseum.org/indexphp?page=american-alligator-ss> Lorem Ipsum “American Alligator.” Texas Parks and Wildlife 20 February 2012 <http://www.tpwdstatetxus/huntwild/wild/species/americanalligator/> Dolor “American Alligator.” US Fish and Wildlife Service 20 February

2012 <http://www.fwsgov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/alligatorpdf> Britton, A. “American Alligator (Alligator Mississippiensis)” Crocodilian Species List, Crocodilians: Natural History & Conservation. 18 September 2011 <http://crocodilian.com/cnhc/csp amishtm”> Ferguson, M.WJ and T Joanen “Temperature of egg incubation determines sex in Alligator mississippiensis.” Nature 296 pp 850 – 853 Woodward, A.R, JH White, and SB Linda “Maximum Size of the Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis).” Journal of Herpetology 29(4) pp 507-513 Photographs by Mark Conlin Habitat Tracker is a research project of the Florida State University, and is funded by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S Department of Education (R305A100782) http://tracker.ccifsuedu/ 7