american american referred colloquially common large endemic southeastern united_states living species genus family larger extant species chinese adult male american measure length weigh females smaller measuring american inhabits freshwater wetlands marshes swamps texas north_carolina distinguished american broader snout overlapping jaws darker coloration tolerant tolerant cooler climates american found tropical climates apex predators consume fish amphibians reptiles birds mammals feed invertebrates play important role ecosystem engineers wetland ecosystems creation holes provide wet dry habitats organisms year particularly breeding season declare territory locate suitable mates male use attract females eggs laid nest vegetation sticks leaves mud sheltered spot near water young born yellow bands bodies protected mother year american listed concern historically hunting population american listed endangered species subsequent conservation efforts allowed numbers increase species removed list harvested skins meat species official state states florida louisiana mississippi taxonomy phylogeny american classified french zoologist created genus american shares genus chinese grouped family includes fossil extant closely related american members arose late cretaceous alberta earliest known genus fossil found land bridges north_atlantic connected north_america cretaceous periods split north_america late cretaceous reached south_america closure panama period chinese likely descended lineage crossed land bridge modern american represented fossil record pleistocene mitochondrial 1990s suggests animal evolved rate similar mammals greater birds cold published suggests evolved slowly mammals birds characteristics domestic vary long slender short robust possibly variations factors growth rate diet climate broad especially captive individuals jaws closed edges upper jaws cover lower teeth fit jaws like species bony nasal ridge prominent teeth number adult olive brown gray black color cream colored missing gene makes extremely rare impossible find wild survive captivity vulnerable sun predators size american fairly large species average second largest species family black opposed mammals size eventually old age healthy continue expand lives oldest specimens largest old large male reach expected maximum size length weighing females reach maximum rare occasions large old male grow greater length 19th 20th centuries larger males reaching reported largest reported individual size male killed louisiana reportedly measured length specimen available left muddy bank having measured having massive relocate size animal correct weighed approximately large adult tend relatively robust compared similarly length example captive males measuring found weigh captive specimens wild specimens lack hunting behavior largest killed florida reported largest scientifically verified florida period reportedly weighed specimen size estimated skull measured american normally reach extreme sizes mature males specimens grow length weigh females mature size normally body weight florida adult males averaged mass measured length adult females averaged measured florida adults weighed average weight sexual maturity study stated averaging adult weight claimed noticeably sexual size mature specimens sexual species relatively modest example females slightly larger average female american mature males average opposed expected mature male considerably bigger male american median nearly twice long times heavy female species given female relatively higher survival rates early age large percentage given populations comprised immature young breeding relatively large mature males expected mature length typically seen weight varies considerably depending length age health season available food sources similar reptiles range temperate zones american northern end range southern arkansas alabama northern north_carolina tend reach smaller sizes largest caught alabama length weighing arkansas man killed physiology land moves walking involving lifting belly ground similar similar walking forms territorial termed low walk high walk unlike land increase speed ends limbs water swim like fish moving pelvic regions tails american held record having strongest laboratory measured bite living animal measured lbf noted experiment time paper published replicated laboratory able measure greater bite force notwithstanding high biting force muscles opening jaw weak jaws held closed hand tape captured air flow lungs abdominal muscles alter position lungs shifting center allows dive rise roll water distribution habitat american found wild southeastern united_states great dismal swamp virginia north_carolina south florida west southern tip texas found north_carolina south_carolina georgia florida louisiana alabama mississippi arkansas oklahoma texas inhabit swamps streams rivers ponds lakes females juveniles found bays seasonal wetlands prefer fresh water water tolerant salt water salt function study north central florida found males preferred open lake water spring females open water areas summer males preferred open water females remained swamps construct nests lay eggs sexes den underneath banks trees winter american vulnerable cold american unlike immediately cold water survive temperatures time displaying signs discomfort thought reason american widespread north american fact american found farther equator equipped handle cooler conditions water begins freeze stick surface allows breathe ice ecology behavior modify wetland habitats dramatically flat areas constructing small ponds known holes behavior qualified american considered species holes retain water dry season provide refuge aquatic organisms aquatic organisms survive dry season seeking refuge holes source future populations construction nests periphery holes buildup soils excavation process provide drier areas reptiles nest place plants holes oasis dry season consequently important foraging sites organisms limestone depressions swamps holes tend large deep rocky usually small shallow depressions ridge wetlands variable play important role restoration biological restoration success highly sensitive changes productivity ecosystems factors expected change restoration control long term vegetation dynamics wetlands reducing population small mammals particularly marsh vegetation way vital ecological service provide important reducing rates coastal wetland losses louisiana provide protection service water birds nesting islands freshwater wetlands prevent predatory mammals reaching island based return eat food birds fall nests birds appear attracted areas known nest heavily tourist attractions large numbers florida addition shore american climb trees shoreline available seen retreat water jumping perch hunting diet american considered apex predator range diet determined largely size age size availability prey eat wide variety animals including invertebrates fish birds turtles snakes amphibians mammals feed invertebrates insects insect larvae spiders worms grow gradually expand larger prey reaches adulthood animal living water coming water drink potential prey size power animals captured considerably smaller stomach contents native mammals commonly eaten species louisiana introduced common regular prey adult larger adult commonly eat species animals occasionally eaten large deer feral wild normally diet occasionally domestic animals including dogs cats taken available secondary wild feral prey prey including snakes invertebrates eaten occasionally adults water birds large rails taken possible occasionally adult birds grabbed eaten predation bird species occur fledgling birds late summer prey fledgling birds attempt flights near water edge diet adult central florida lakes dominated fish highly based local availability fish diet weight commonly consumed fish food taken diet fish largely consists bass unusually regions reptiles amphibians important non prey comprised turtles water snakes southern louisiana largely crabs found present southeastern largely absent southwestern consumed relatively high proportion reptiles fish recorded prey adult adult males consumed large portion mammals diverse adult took mammals reptiles amphibians invertebrates equal measure fish fish aquatic prey taken water water edge form major diet eaten time day night adult spend considerable time hunting land water terrestrial animals road shoulders usually terrestrial hunting occurs nights warm temperatures hunting terrestrial prey ambush edge water grabbing pulling prey water preferred method predation larger teeth designed grip prey rip flesh like teeth predators capable biting turtle shell moderately sized bone occasionally prey large mammals deer usually fish smaller prey levels rarely observed killing eating events common little effect populations predation florida rare documented incidents usually involve trying cross coming swamp river drink american known natural predator predation black bears recorded unknown bears taken grown adults listed predators little evidence exists predation 2000s invasive occupied recorded possibly controlling populations preventing invasive species spread north reported eat fruit behavior witnessed documented stomach contents eating fruit wild citrus fruits directly trees discovery unexpected diet reveals responsible spreading seeds fruit habitat tool use american documented hunt prey birds means reptiles recorded use tools balancing sticks branches heads american able lure birds looking suitable nesting material kill consume strategy shared particularly effective nesting season birds likely gather appropriate nesting materials vocal reptiles variety different calls depending age size sex animal american perform specific declare territory signal distress threaten competitors locate suitable mates juvenile perform high pitched trait common species young alert mothers ready emerge nest juveniles distress alert mothers threatened vocal function differently mammals males females loudly attract mates declare territory air lungs blowing intermittent deep toned american distinct loud considered unique male known use mating performed head oblique tail arched posture waves male cause surface water directly literally commonly called water dance large choruses breeding season commonly initiated females males observers large choruses noted felt heard intense emitted males flat choruses induced players sonic large aircraft addition threaten declare territory reproduction breeding season begins spring spring nights gather large numbers group courtship aforementioned dances female builds nest vegetation sticks leaves mud sheltered spot near water lays white eggs size egg covers vegetation heats helping eggs warm differs lay eggs pits temperature eggs develop determines sex temperature dependent sex determination eggs hatched temperature males temperature lower female nests built warmer produce males cooler nests wet marsh produce females female remains near nest day period protecting young begin hatch calls heard hatching mother quickly carries water mouth species known young tiny adult series yellow bands bodies serve camouflage gather pods guarded mother contact young eat small fish frogs insects preyed large fish birds adult mother eventually aggressive young encourages disperse young grow year reach adulthood live years interactions exotic species introduced coastal marshes south_america population exploded millions cause damage coastal marshes dig louisiana bounty try reduce numbers large feed heavily control populations louisiana prevent spreading east hunting trapping large important eating changes harvesting needed capitalize ability control recently population established substantial populations contributing factor keeping populations low preventing spread species north events predation young observed evidence net negative effect seen overall populations conservation status historically hunting habitat loss severely impacted populations range species survive doubt listed endangered species law precursor believed danger extinction significant portion range united_states state wildlife agencies south contributed american recovery protection endangered species act allowed species areas depleted states began monitoring populations ensure continue grow removed animal endangered species list considered fully recovered legal trade products protect endangered passed trafficking relationships humans attacks humans capable killing humans mistaken identity leading attack possible especially near cloudy waters aggressive humans larger species mainly prey humans bites injuries sheer bite force risk infection medical treatment bite result fatal infection human populations increase build houses low lying areas fish hunt near water incidents inevitable appear human life documented attacks humans florida incidents year reported estimated resulted death fatal attacks occurred united_states 1970s 1990s killed people killed week fatal attacks united_states wrestling late 1880s wrestling source entertainment created tribes prior arrival europeans tourism tradition continues persist despite criticism animal rights activists farming today farming large growing industry georgia florida texas louisiana states produce combined annual total hides hides bring good prices hides range sold market meat growing pounds meat produced annually according raw meat contains roughly serving come fat symbol american official state florida louisiana mississippi organizations products florida named animal nickname sports teams year printer spur moment decision print emblem shipment school football mascot stuck team captain nickname bowl college football game held jacksonville annually bowl stadium hosting event edition drag race held
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