ALLIGATOR

Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) (genus Alligator), either of two longsnouted, crocodilian reptiles usually placed with the South American caimans in the family Alligatoridae. Alligators, like other crocodilians, are large, lizardlike animals with powerful tails that are used both in defense and in swimming. Their eyes, ears, and nostrils are placed on top of their long head and project slightly above the water when the reptiles float at the surface, as they often do. Alligators differ from crocodiles in having broader snouts; in crocodiles, moreover, the fourth tooth in each side of the lower jaw projects outside the snout when the mouth is closed. Alligators are carnivorous and live along the edges of relatively large bodies of water, such as lakes, swamps, and rivers. They dig burrows in which they escape from danger and in which they hibernate during cold weather. The Mississippi, or American, alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), the larger of the two species, is found in the southeastern United States. It is black with yellow banding when young and is generally brownish when adult. The maximum length is about 5.8 m (19 feet), but it more typically ranges from about 1.8 to 3.7 m (6 to 12 feet). The Mississippi alligator has been hunted for its hide, and its young have been sold in large numbers as pets. It disappeared from many areas where it was once abundant and was later given legal protection from hunters, until it made an excellent comeback and limited hunting seasons were again established. The adult alligator feeds mainly on fishes, small mammals, and birds but may sometimes take prey as large as deer or cattle. Members of both sexes hiss, and the males also give loud roars that carry over considerable distances. During the breeding season, the female builds a mound nest of mud and vegetation in which she buries about 20 to 70 hard-shelled eggs. She guards the eggs and may at this time be dangerous. Members of this species usually avoid humans. The Chinese alligator (A. sinensis) is a much smaller, little-known reptile found in the Yangtze River region of China. It is similar to the larger form but attains a maximum length of about 1.5 m (5 feet) and is blackish with faint yellowish markings. It is considered endangered (and perhaps extinct) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).