Fun Alligator Facts

Alligators are one of the most well-known reptiles in the world; yet, they are also frequently confused for crocodiles. Alligators have a different head shape and color from crocodiles.

There are two species of alligators in the world: American and Chinese. The American alligator is the larger and more well-known of the two. In fact, the American alligator is the largest reptile in North America.

Alligator

Where Do They Live?

The American alligator is found in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama and Georgia. Most alligators are found in Florida and Louisiana.

The American alligator enjoys freshwater lakes and slow-moving rivers. While they much prefer freshwater wetlands, they can also be found in brackish water and even rarely in saltwater.

The Chinese alligator is found only in China, along the Yangtze river.

What Do They Look Like?

Alligators are large reptiles with long powerful tails. They use their tails to help them swim and to defend themselves. An alligator’s tail is about half of the total length of an alligator.

Alligator Head

In order to tell the difference between alligators and crocodiles look at the head. An alligator will have a broad head and no visible teeth when the alligator’s jaw is closed. Crocodiles have a narrow snout and visible teeth.

Alligators are generally a blackish color when young and turn more brownish when they mature. They have a lighter underbelly. Alligators rarely are the color of their environment.

While the maximum length of the American alligator is 19 feet, most are between 6 and 12 feet long. Females are smaller than males and rarely grow longer than 10 feet.

The Chinese alligator is smaller than the American, and usually is shorter than 7 feet in length.

What Do They Eat?

Alligators are carnivores and hunt for their food. They eat mostly fish, small mammals, and birds. They will also eat turtles, and other reptiles.

They eat whatever is closest and easiest to catch. They have been known to eat deer or cattle.

How Do They Behave?

Alligators are mostly solitary animals. They stake out a territory and will defend it from other alligators. Larger alligators will claim an entire territory for themselves, while smaller alligators will group together.

Both male and female alligators hiss. Males will also roar.

Alligators are ectothermic or cold blooded. Since they cannot control the temperature of their body, they will often bask in the sun to keep warm.

When the temperature gets too cold, alligators will become dormant. They spend winters in burrows dug into the ground.

Albino Alligator

Life Cycle

The average lifespan for an alligator is about 50 years in the wild. Some have been recorded to live over 70 years while in captivity.

There are a reported 5 million alligators in the world. About 1.25 million can be found in the state of Florida.

Alligators are born from eggs. The sex of an alligator is determined by the temperature of the egg at the time of hatching. Females are born at 86 degrees and males 93 degrees.

Females will build a nest out of vegetation and soil. They will lay between 32 and 46 eggs in late June or early July. The eggs will hatch in late August or early September. Usually 4 alligators will reach maturity from a single hatching. 

Interesting Facts

  • North America is the only country in the world with both alligators and crocodiles
  • The largest alligator found in Florida weighed 1,043 pounds
  • Alligators can move very quickly in the water, but are usually quite slow on land
  • The habitat for alligators seems to be moving northward in the United States

Animals