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

The Gopher Tortoise

I was recently biking with my family, and happened upon a Gopher Tortoise, who was sunning himself (or herself, as the case may be) in the grass beside the path.

The Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a rare species that is on the endangered list in every US state except FL, though it is on the species watch list in Florida. This species is at risk because of habitat loss.

Gopher Tortoises are herbivores; that means they eat plants only, like mushrooms, berries, and certain types of grasses. These tortoises also eat what is called a gopher apple.

Gopher Tortoises live in burrows that they dig in the ground. These animals are known for their amazing digging ability. When a tortoise is ready to lay her eggs (of which there are about 3-14), they are put in a mound near the opening of the burrow.

These are definitely amazing animals!


Sources: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw048 and
http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Gopher_polyph.htm

Wildlife Pictures

Here are some pictures of wildlife that my family and I took on various vacations south:








An alligator sunning itself.









An egret roaming the marshes for food.









A peacock in an FL State Park.









An armadillo we saw while biking.