Monday, June 4, 2012

Alligator crocodile

Animals Unique | Alligator crocodile | Alligator Classification and Evolution
Alligators are in the same family as other large but Reptiles like Crocodiles are native to only two countries, the which are the southern USA and China (where the Alligator is now nearly extinct). Alligators growing niche to be smaller than Crocodile Their cousins ​​but have been known to move at speeds of up to 15mph on land making them one of the fastest large Reptiles in the world. Despite Their size, there are a number of distinct differences Between Alligators and Crocodiles as an alligator's snout is shorter than That of a Crocodile, and with Their mouths shut, an alligator's teeth can not be seen but a Crocodile's can.Alligators are also commonly known as the Gators in their native, southern North American habitats.

Alligator Anatomy and Appearance
Alligators are very large Reptiles, with lazy growing up to 4.5 meters in length. The female Alligator tends to be slightly smaller, with a total body and tail length of Between 3 and 3.5 meters. The Chinese Alligator is a much smaller species, almost half the size of a female American Alligator. Alligators have an armor-plated body varies in color from That yellow, to green, to brown, finally turning almost completely black in old age. The tail of the Alligator is incredibly muscular and is used to propel the animal when it is in the water. Alligators have short, stocky legs with webbing Between Their Toes. This not only helps them when They are swimming but also means That They can negotiate the muddy river banks with ease.

Alligator Distribution and Habitat
The American Alligators are found in the south-eastern USA, throughout all of Florida and Louisiana, the southern parts of Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, coastal South and North Carolina, eastern Texas, the south-eastern corner of Oklahoma and the southern tip of Arkansas. The majority of American Alligators Inhabit Florida and Louisiana, with over a million alligators thought to be found Between the two states. The American Alligators live in freshwater environments, Such as ponds, marshes, wetlands, rivers, lakes, and swamps, as well as Brackish environments. Southern Florida is the only place in the world where Alligators and Crocodiles are both known to live in the same place.

Alligator Behaviour and Lifestyle
The Alligator is a solitary predator That is actually surprisingly clunky when moving about on land. They growing niche to be quite slow, moving Themselves by either crawling or sliding along the slippery banks on Their bellies. They are highly territorial animals are known That to make a variety of noises to Represent different things, Including the declaration of territory, finding a mate and the young mother That Their warnings They are in danger. Male Alligators however, do not Appear to have Such a prominent voice box and the make very little noise outside of the breeding season, when They are known to growl and bellows to Fend off competing lazy.

Alligator Reproduction and Life Cycles
Alligators growing niche to breed during the spring when They come together in large groups to find a Suitable partner. The female constructs a nest out of mud, leaves and Twigs on the ground where she lays up to 50 eggs. The hatchlings emerge after a two month incubation period for the which is done by the Rotting vegetation in the nest. Females do not incubate eggs as Their They would break but still guard them from hungry predators Their nest. The baby Alligators are long Between 15 and 20 when They hatch and are vulnerable to predation from a number of species. They usually REMAIN with Their mother for the first 2 years.Alligators growing niche to live to about 50 years old or so but some have been known to live at least another 20 years when in captivity.

Alligator Diet and Prey
The Alligator is Generally a solitary predator, but smaller and younger individuals Alligator however, are known to stay together in groups ESPECIALLY when hunting. The Alligator eats fish, small Mammals and birds, but the Alligator has also been known to attack much larger animals. Adult alligators have been known to hunt Deer and are well known to kill and eat smaller Alligators. In some cases, larger alligators have been known to hunt the Florida Panther and Black Bears, making the alligator the dominant predator throughout the Their environment.Attacks on pets and even people are also not unknown.

Alligator Predators and Threats
The Alligator is an apex predator in it's environment, known to even hunt animals are much larger That in size. Humans are the only predator of adult Alligators They were hunted as almost to extinction for Their meat, and for the which Their unique skin was used in the manufacture of a variety of products. The smaller, baby Alligators however, are prey to a number of species Including Raccoons, Birds, bobcats and other events Alligators. Despite being protected from hunting in much of it's North American range today, Alligators are Threatened by Loss of Their natural habitats and high levels of pollution in the water.

Alligator Interesting Facts and Features
Alligator DNA is thought to date back to times even before Dinosaur That meaning the Alligators survived whatever it was That the dinosaurs did, with the first scientific estimates dating the species 150 million years ago. The Chinese Alligator is currently found only in the Yangtze River Valley and the Chinese Alligator is now extremely endangered with less than 100 Chinese Alligators believed to be left in the wild. There are actually many more Chinese Alligators live in zoos around That the world than can be found in the wild today. Alligators are known to have up to 80 teeth the which are perfectly shaped for biting down on prey. They are even Able to regrow teeth Those That are lost.

Alligator Relationship with Humans
Unlike large Crocodiles, Alligators do not regard a Human Immediately upon encounter as prey, but the Alligator may still attack in self-defense if Provoked.Alligator attacks are uncommon but definitely Alligators have been known to attack Humans if the human is in the Alligator's territory and particularly if the animal feels Threatened. They are however known to commonly prey on domestic animals and pets Including livestock Sometimes when They are close to human settlements. Hunting towards the end of the last century almost completely obliterated the entire population of the American Alligator (and has pretty much done so to the Chinese Alligator). Fortunately the gravity of the situation in the USA was realised before it was too late, with the protection of the species having led to an increase of population in numbers now.
Alligator Conservation Status and Life Today
The American Alligator was once an Endangered species, but thanks to habitat protection and federal laws protecting them, Populations throughout Florida and Louisiana have recovered really well, with over a million Alligators thought to exist in the USA today. They are however now Threatened by habitat degradation, Mainly in the form of deforestation and pollution in the water. The story of the Chinese Alligator is very different however, with less than 100 individuals thought to be left in the Yangtze River Valley, this species is Critically Endangered in the wild and is sadly on the verge of extinction.
Alligator crocodile Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptiles
Order: crocodilians
Family: Alligatoridae
Genus: Alligator
Scientific Name: Alligator mississippiensis
Common Name: Alligator
Other Name (s): Gator
Group: Reptile
Number Of Species: 2
Location: Southern USA and China
Habitat: Marsh and swampland
Colour: Green, Grey, Black, Brown, Yellow
Skin Type: Scales
Size (L): 2.5cm - 4.5m (8ft - 15ft)
Weight: 181kg - 363kg (400lbs - 800lbs)
Top Speed: 24kph (15mph)
Diet: Carnivore
Prey: Fish, Snakes, Turtles
Predators: Human, Birds, Raccoon
Lifestyle: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Group Behaviour: Solitary
Water Type: Fresh, Brackish
Life Span: 30-60 years
Age Of Sexual Maturity: 10-12 years
Incubation Period: 2 months
Average Clutch Size: 35
Name Of Young: Hatchling
Age Of Independence: 1 - 2 years
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Estimated Population Size: 1 million / less than 100
Biggest Threat: Water pollution
Most Distinctive Feature: Muscular tail half the total body length
Fun Fact: They have two sets of eyelids!

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