The American Alligator

There are two types of Alligators, the Chinese Alligator, and the American Alligator. The latter will be discussed here.

American Alligators are found in the southeast of the US. They live in watery climates like ponds, rivers, and marshes.

Alligators eat all sorts of animals, like birds, fish, turtles, and mammals, but to name a few. Hatchlings eat invertebrates, then slowly progress into the adult diet.

Alligators have 20-60 eggs, which are put in a nest made of grass and twigs. As the vegetation in the nest decays, it gives off heat which incubates the eggs. Though not all eggs hatch, due to predators and weather. Alligators live about 30-40 years in the wild, and longer in captivity.

You may have heard alligator and crocodile used interchangeably. But they are not the same. Alligators have a broad, wide snout, while a croc's is narrower. Also, crocodiles' teeth are still visible while their mouths are closed, but a gator's is not visible.

Did you know: Alligators do not have vocal chords. They can hiss, growl, and bellow; but they do not acctually have vocal chords.



sources: http://www.essortment.com/alligator-information-27452.html
http://www.corkscrew.audubon.org/wildlife/alligators.html