Alligator Facts Review

Classification and evolution crocodile

Crocodiles are in the same family as other large reptiles such as crocodiles, but they come from only two countries, the southern United States and China (where the crocodile is now almost extinct) are. Alligators are to be smaller than their cousins ​​usually crocodile, but have been known to move at speeds up to 15 mph on their land one of the fastest large reptiles in the world does. Despite its size, there are a number of different differences between alligators and crocodiles as Alligator snout is shorter than that of a crocodile, and can not be seen with the mouth of a crocodile teeth, but a crocodile. Crocodiles are also referred to as crocodiles known in its native habitat in North America, southern frequently.

Alligator Anatomy and appearance

Crocodiles are large reptiles, with males growing up to 4.5 meters long. The female alligator tend to be a bit smaller, with a body and tail total length of 3 to 3.5 meters. The Chinese alligator is smaller species, almost half the size of a female American alligator. Crocodiles have an armed force, which varies in color from yellow, green, brown, eventually becomes almost completely black aged. Incredibly muscular tail crocodile and is used to propel the animal while in the water. Crocodiles have short, sturdy legs with webbed feet. This not only helps you to swim, but also means negotiating the muddy banks with ease.

Alligator Distribution and habitat

American crocodiles are found in the south-eastern United States, in Florida and Louisiana, southern Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, coastal South and North Carolina, Eastern Texas, the southeast corner of Oklahoma and the end Southern Arkansas. The majority of American alligators inhabit Florida and Louisiana, with over a million alligators thought to find between the two countries. American crocodiles live in freshwater environments, such as ponds, swamps, wetlands, rivers, lakes and marshes and brackish water environments. South Florida is the only place where they have met two alligators and crocodiles living in the same place.

Crocodile behavior and lifestyle

The crocodile is a solitary predator that is surprisingly awkward fact when moving around on the ground. You tend to be very slow, moves by either crawling or slithering along the slippery banks in your stomach. They are very territorial animals that are known to make a variety of sounds to represent different things, including the declaration of the area to find a young couple and alert her mother that are at risk. But apparently not having male alligators box so prominent voice and very little noise from outside the breeding season, when it is known that growl and roar repel rival males.

Alligator Reproduction and life cycles

Crocodiles are to grow normally in the spring, when large groups of finding a suitable partner. The female builds a nest of mud, leaves and branches on the ground, where it gets up to 50 eggs. The juveniles produced after two months of incubation, which is made by decomposing vegetation in the nest. Not hatch their eggs to women break, but still keep their nests hungry predators. Baby alligators are between 15 and 20 hours, when they are born and are vulnerable to predators for a number of species. They usually stay with the mother of the first two years. Crocodiles tend to live as old to about 50 years old, but some have been known to live at least another 20 years when in captivity.

Alligator Diet and prey

However, the crocodile is usually a solitary predator, but smaller and more young people have been known crocodile kept in groups, especially when hunting. The crocodile fish, small mammals and birds are eating, but the crocodile is also known to attack much larger animals. Adult alligators are known to hunt deer and is known to kill and eat smaller alligators. In some cases, larger alligators have been known to hunt the Florida panther and black bears, so the crocodile, the dominant predator in its surroundings. Also attacks on pets and even humans are not known.

Crocodile Predators and threats

The crocodile is a predator in their environment even known to hunt animals that are much larger. Man is the only predator of adult alligators as they were hunted almost to extinction for their meat and for its unique leather used to manufacture a variety of products. However, crocodiles small babies are prey to a number of species including raccoons, birds, bobcats and even other alligators. Although from hunting in heavily protected by its existing range of North America they are threatened by the loss of their natural habitats Crocodiles and high levels of pollution in the water.

Crocodile Interesting Facts and Features

Crocodile DNA is thought to be still before the times of dinosaur means that the alligator survives, anything as long as the dinosaurs did not date, with the first scientific estimates of species 150 million years ago. The Chinese alligator is currently only in the Yangtze River valley and the Chinese alligator is now extremely fewer than 100 Chinese alligators believed his release endangered. There are actually many more Chinese alligators live in zoos around the world, as in the wild today are. Alligators are known by a maximum of 80 teeth, which have to be perfect down to bite their prey form. They are even able to lose those teeth that grow.

Alligator relationship with people

Unlike large crocodiles, alligators were not considered immediately as a person find prey, but the crocodile attacked even in self-defense if provoked. Crocodile attacks are rare, but crocodiles have definitely known to attack humans when the person is in the territory of crocodile and especially if the animal feels threatened. However, it is known that usually feed on animals, pets and livestock at times human settlements. Domestic Hunting near towards the end of last century almost completely wiped out the entire population of the American crocodile (and has done much in the Chinese crocodile). Fortunately, the seriousness of the situation in the USA it was done before it was too late, which led to the protection of species with an increase in population numbers now.

Crocodile protection status and life today

The American alligator once was threatened with extinction, but thanks to the protection of habitat and federal laws to protect populations of Florida and Louisiana have really recovered well thought over a million alligators exist today in the United States. However, they are now threatened by habitat destruction, especially in the form of deforestation and water pollution. The history of Chinese alligator can be very different, designed with fewer than 100 people to be descended into the valley of the Yangtze River, this is an endangered species in nature and is saddened by the brink of extinction.

Crocodile Facts

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Crocodilia

Family: Alligatoridae

Genre: Crocodile

Scientific name: Alligator mississippiensis

Common name: Crocodile

Name (s): Gator

Group: Reptile

Number of species: 2

Location: Southern US and China

Habitat: Marsh and Wetlands

Color: green, gray, black, brown, yellow

Skin type: Scales

Size (L): 2.5 cm - 4.5 m (8 ft - 15 ft)

Weight: 181kg - 363kg (400 pounds - 800 pounds)

Top speed: 24kph (15 mph)

Diet: Carnivore

Prey: fish, snakes, turtles

Predators: humans, birds, raccoons

Lifestyle: day / night

Group behavior: Solitary

Water type: freshwater, brackish

Useful life of 30 - 60th anniversary

Age of sexual maturity 10-12 Years

Incubation period: 2 months

Average clutch size: 35

Child's Name: Hatchling

Age of Independence: 1- 2 years

Conservation Status: Endangered

Estimated population: 1000000 / less than 100

Greatest threat: water pollution

The most striking feature Muscular tail average total body length

Fun fact: You have two sets of eyelids!