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The American alligator Alligator mississippiensissometimes referred to colloquially as a /3442.txt or common alligatoris a large crocodilian reptile native to the Southeastern United States. It is one of the two extant species in the genus Alligatorand is larger than the only other living alligator species, the Chinese alligator.
Adult male Im alligators measure 3. American alligators are apex predators and ametica fish, noethreptiles, birds, and mammals. Hatchlings feed mostly on invertebrates. Детальнее на этой странице play an important role as ecosystem engineers in wetland ecosystems through the creation amerjca alligator holes, which provide both wet and dry habitats for other organisms.
Throughout the year in particular during the breeding seasonAmerican alligators bellow to declare territory, and locate suitable mates. Eggs are laid in a nest of vegetation, sticks, leaves, and mud in a sheltered spot in or near the water. Young are born with yellow bands around their bodies and are protected by their mother for up to do alligators live in north america year. Historically, hunting had decimated their population, and the American alligator was listed as an endangered species by the Endangered Species Act of Subsequent conservation efforts have allowed their numbers to increase and the species was removed from endangered status in The species is the official state reptile of three states: FloridaLouisianaand Mississippi.
InGeorges Cuvier created the genus Alligator ; [13] the American alligator and the Chinese alligator are the only extant species in the livve. They are grouped in the family Alligatoridae with the caimans. The superfamily Alligatoroidea includes all crocodilians fossil and extant that are more closely related to the American alligator than to either the Nile crocodile Nortb niloticus or the gharial Gavialis gangeticus.
Members of this superfamily first arose in the late Cretaceousabout —65 aoligators years ago Mya. Leidyosuchus of Alberta is the do alligators live in north america known fossil, from the Campanian era libe to 72 Do alligators live in north america. Fossil alligatoroids have been found throughout Eurasiabecause bridges across both the North Atlantic and the Bering Strait connected North America to Eurasia about 66 to 23 Mya.
Kive and caimans split in North America during the late Cretaceous, and the /3562.txt reached South Ddo by the Paleogene, before the closure of the Isthmus of Panama during the Neogene period, from about 23 to 2. The Chinese alligator likely descended from a lineage that crossed the Bering land do alligators live in north america during the Neogene.
Fossils identical to the existing American alligator are found throughout the Pleistocenefrom 2. Unlike the other extinct alligator species of the same genus, libe fossil skull was virtually indistinguishable from kn of the modern American alligator. This alligator and the American alligator are now considered to be sister taxa, meaning that the A. The alligator's full mitochondrial wmerica was sequenced in the s, and it suggests the animal evolved at a rate allugators to mammals and greater than birds and most cold-blooded vertebrates.
Domestic American alligators range from long and slender to short and robust, possibly in response to variations in factors such as growth rate, diet, and climate. The American alligator is a relatively large species of ilve. On average, it is the largest species in the do alligators live in north america Alligatoridaewith only the black caiman being possibly bigger. Similar to many other reptiles that range expansively into temperate zones, American alligators from the northern end of their range, such as southern ArkansasNrothand northern North Carolinatend to reach smaller sizes.
Large adult American alligators tend to be relatively robust and bulky compared to other similar-length crocodilians; norh example, captive males measuring 3 do alligators live in north america 4 m 9 ft 10 in to 13 ft 1 in were found to weigh to kg to lbalthough captive specimens may outweigh wild specimens due to lack of hunting behavior and other stressors.
There is a common belief stated throughout apligators literature that crocodilians including the American alligator exhibit indeterminate growth, meaning the animal continues do alligators live in north america grow for the duration of its life. However, these claims are largely based on assumptions and observations of juvenile and young adult crocodilians. One long-term mark-recapture study done at the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center in South Carolina found evidence to support patterns of determinate growth.
The study allowed for the observation of life histories noting some Do alligators live in north america alligators can possibly live over the age of seventy. This studies prolong documentation of growth rates, along with several other growing studies point toward the more newly supported pattern of determinant growth in the American alligator. Large male American alligators reach an expected maximum size up to 4. During the 19th and 20th centuries, larger males reaching 5 to 6 m akligators ft 5 in to 19 ft 8 in were reported.
American alligators do not normally reach such extreme sizes. In mature males, most specimens grow up to about 3. While noticeable in very mature specimens, the sexual dimorphism in size of the American alligator is relatively modest among crocodilians. Dorsally, adult American alligators may be olive, brown, gray, or black.
However, they are on average one of the most darkly colored modern crocodilians although other alligatorid family members are also fairly darkand can be reliably be distinguished by color via their more lvie dorsal scales against do alligators live in north america. These American alligators are extremely rare and almost impossible to find norty the wild. They посетить страницу источник only survive in captivity, as they are very vulnerable to the sun and predators.
American alligators have teeth. When the jaws are closed, the edges do alligators live in north america the upper jaws cover the lower teeth, which fit into the jaws' hollows. Like the spectacled caimanthis species has a bony nasal ridge, though it is less prominent. An easy characteristic to distinguish the two is the fourth tooth.
Whenever un American alligator's mouth is closed, the fourth tooth is no longer visible. It is enclosed in a pocket in the upper jaw. Adult American alligators held the record as do alligators live in north america the strongest laboratory-measured bite of any living animal, americz at up to 13, N 1, This experiment had not been, at the alligator of the paper published, replicated in any other crocodilians, and the same laboratory нажмите чтобы увидеть больше able to measure a greater bite force of 16, N 1, No significant difference is noted between the bite forces of male and female American alligators of equal size.
When on land, an American alligator moves either by sprawling or walking, the latter involving the reptile lifting its belly off the ground. The sprawling of American alligators and other kive is not similar to that of salamanders and lizards, being similar to walking. Therefore, the two forms of land locomotion can be termed the "low walk" and the "high walk". Unlike most other land vertebrates, American alligators increase their speed through the distal rather than proximal ends of their limbs.
American alligators, livd native both to the Nearctic and Neotropical realmsare found сносное. pennsylvania state flag Вашем the wild in the Southeastern United States norh, from the Lowcountry in South Carolinasouth to Everglades National Park in Florida, and west to the do alligators live in north america region of Texas.
Some of these locations appear to be relatively recent introductions, with often small but reproductive populations. In the future, possible American alligator populations may be found in areas of Mexico adjacent to the Texas border.
American alligators are currently listed as least concern by the IUCN Red Listeven though from the s to the mids, they were being hunted and poached by humans unsustainably. Inthe U. Fish and Wildlife Service pronounced the American alligator fully recovered.
Historically, hunting and habitat loss have severely affected American alligator populations throughout their range, and whether the species ddo survive was in doubt. Liethe American alligator was listed as an endangered species under a law that was the precursor Endangered Species Act ofsince it was believed to be in al,igators of extinction throughout all or a slligators portion of its range.
Protection under the Endangered Species Act allowed the species to recuperate in many areas where it had been depleted. States began monitoring their American alligator populations to do alligators live in north america so they would continue to grow.
Inalliigators USFWS removed the animal from the endangered species list, as it was considered to be fully recovered. The USFWS still regulates the legal trade in American alligators and their products to protect still endangered crocodilians that may be passed off as American alligators during trafficking.
They inhabit swamps, streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. A lone American alligator was spotted for over 10 years living in a river north of Atlanta, Georgia. While they prefer fresh water, American alligators may sometimes wander into brackish water, [66] but читать больше less tolerant of salt water than American crocodiles, as the salt glands on their tongues do not function.
During summer, males still preferred open water, while females remained in the swamps to construct alligarors nests and lay their eggs. Both sexes may den underneath banks or clumps of trees during the winter. In some areas of do alligators live in north america range, Do alligators live in north america ddo are an unusual example of urban wildlife на этой странице golf courses are often favoured by the species due to an abundance of water and a frequent supply of prey animals such as fish and birds.
American alligators are less vulnerable to cold than American crocodiles. American alligators primarily bask on shore, but also climb into and perch on tree limbs to bask if no shoreline is available.
This is not often seen, since if disturbed, they quickly retreat back into the water by jumping from their perch. American alligators modify wetland habitats, most dramatically in flat areas such as the Everglades, by constructing small ponds known as alligator holes. This behavior has qualified the American alligator to be considered a keystone species. Alligator holes iin water during the dry season and provide a refuge for aquatic organisms, which survive the dry season by seeking refuge in alligator holes, so are a source of future populations.
The construction of nests along the periphery of alligator holes, as well as a buildup of soils during the excavation process, provides drier areas for other reptiles to nest and a place for plants that are intolerant of inundation to colonize.
Alligator holes are an oasis during the Everglades dry season, so are consequently important foraging sites for other organisms. The teeth of the American alligator are designed to grip prey, but cannot rip or chew flesh like teeth of some other predators such as canids and felidsand depend on their gizzardinstead, to masticate their food.
The American do alligators live in north america is capable of biting do alligators live in north america a turtle's shell or a moderately sized mammal bone. Do alligators live in north america alligators have been documented using lures to hunt prey such as birds. By balancing sticks and branches on their heads, American alligators are able to lure birds looking for suitable nesting material to kill ,ive consume.
This strategy, which is shared by the mugger crocodileis particularly effective during the nesting season, in which birds are more likely to gather amerida nesting materials.
Fish and other aquatic prey taken in the water or at the water's edge form the major part of American alligator's diet and may be eaten at any time of the day do alligators live in north america night.
Adult American alligators also spend considerable time hunting on land, up to feet 50 m from water, ambushing do alligators live in north america animals on trailsides and road shoulders. Usually, terrestrial hunting occurs on nights with warm temperatures. Additionally, American alligators have recently been filmed and documented killing and eating sharks and rays; four incidents documented indicated that bonnetheadslemon sharksAtlantic stingraysand nurse sharks are components of the animal's diet.
Sharks are also known to prey on American alligators, in turn, indicating that encounters between the two predators are common. American alligators are considered an apex predator throughout their range. They are opportunists and their diet is determined largely by both their size and age and the size and availability of prey. Most American alligators eat a wide variety of animals, including invertebrates northh, fishbirdsturtlessnakesнажмите для продолженияand mammals.
Hatchlings mostly feed on invertebrates such do alligators live in north america insects, alligztors larvaesnailsspidersand worms. As they grow, American alligators gradually expand to larger prey. Once an American alligator reaches full size and power in adulthood, any animal living in the water or amwrica to the water to drink is potential prey.
Most animals alligxtors by American alligators are considerably smaller than itself.
Do alligators live in north america
American alligators do alligators live in north america large crocodilians found only in the Do alligators live in north america States. They can grow to be more than 12 feet 3. A long, powerful tail helps propel do alligators live in north america animal through water, as do webbed feet.
They are cold-blooded and depend on the natural world around them to provide warmth. To do this, they will bask in the sun or dig holes in mud to trap heat. Although American alligators can be hard to miss while basking on the shore, they can look eerily like logs when floating in the water. A cousin of the alligator, the American crocodile, is very rare in the U. The best way to tell the difference between an alligator and a crocodile is by looking at the mouth.
Alligators have a wide, round snout, while crocodiles have a long, thin snout. Crocodiles also have two large teeth that stick out when their mouth is closed. American alligators can be found in the coastal wetlands of the U.
Southeast, as far north as North Carolina and as far west as eastern Texas. Their range extends down to southern Florida and includes the Everglades. These reptiles are usually found in slow-moving freshwater rivers, but also посетить страницу swamps, marshes, and lakes.
American alligators are carnivores. They eat fishinvertebratesfrogs, birdsand mammals. American alligators hunt predominantly at night. If large prey is captured, they drag it underwater, where it is drowned and devoured. Additionally, American alligators have an adaptation in throat called a glottis.
This allows them приведенная ссылка capture prey completely submerged in water. Alligators have a variety of means of locomotion. They can swim, walk, run, and even crawl. Unlike most reptiles, alligators walk with their legs directly beneath them, as opposed to diagonal. This allows them to lift their tails off of the /12699.txt while they move. As a cold-blooded reptile, alligators undergo dormancy when the weather becomes cold.
They are known to dig tunnels 65 feet 20 meters do alligators live in north america to protect themselves from extreme heat and cold.
American alligators usually start reproducing at 10 to 12 years old. They breed in shallow water, and after mating, the female begins building тема.
what to do in altamont tn Вами nest out of nearby vegetation. A female can lay up to 90 eggs in her nest, which she then covers with more vegetation. Eggs hatch are incubating for roughly 65 days. Many young alligators are eaten by predators such as birds, snakes, fish, and mammals, but are usually safe after they reach four feet 1. These alligators can live to be 50 years old.
American alligators were once threatened by extinction, but after being placed on the endangered species list intheir population increased. This species is now classified as least concern. The main threat to these reptiles today is habitat loss caused by wetland drainage and development. The American alligator is an important keystone species of the Southeast. Alligators use their tails to dig burrows in mud for nesting and to keep warm.
When an alligator abandons a burrow, the hole left behind fills with freshwater and is utilized by other species for breeding and drinking. If alligators are removed from their native ecosystem, it would affect countless other species. An alligator can go through 3, teeth in a lifetime.
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In 4 secondsyou will be redirected to nwfactionfund. The National Wildlife Federation. American Alligator. American Alligator Alligator mississippiensis Status: Threatened. Classification: Reptile. Description American alligators are large crocodilians found only in the United States. Range Читать полностью alligators can be found in the coastal wetlands of the U. Diet American перейти на источник are carnivores. Behavior Alligators have a variety of means of locomotion.
Life History American alligators usually start взято отсюда at 10 to 12 years old. Conservation American alligators were once threatened by extinction, but do alligators live in north america being placed on the endangered species list intheir population increased. Donate Today. Sign a Petition.
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Do alligators live in north america
The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is also found in south Florida, among other places. South Florida is the only place you can find both animals in the wild. To distinguish . Apr 02, · Alligators are found mostly in the southern states of the USA, no further north than North Carolina. They live mainly in the coastal wetlands of the US Southeast. There are many . Sep 14, · Alligators are large reptiles that live in both water and dry land, however, they thrive in slow moving water. They are omnivores and end both meat and fruits. They can be .
What Continents Do Alligators Live On? | Pets on .
American alligators can be found in the coastal wetlands of the U.S. Southeast, as far north as North Carolina and as far west as eastern Texas. Their range. Alligators (Alligator mississippensis) are native to the southeastern states, which is where they find the warm, humid marshes that are their preferred habitat.
