American Alligators
Alligator mississippiensis
Natural Habitat
They thrive in freshwater environments such as cypress swamps, marshes, rivers, and lakes. They can tolerate brackish water for short periods but lack the salt glands of crocodiles.
Where I'm Found
Endemic to the Southeastern United States. They inhabit freshwater wetlands from coastal North Carolina down to Florida and west to Texas.
Source: Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
What I Eat
Strictly carnivorous and highly opportunistic.
- Wild: Juveniles eat insects and small fish. Adults hunt rough fish, turtles, small mammals, and birds.
- Zoo: A diet consisting mainly of fish sourced from local fishermen (including our own zookeepers) and fish cleaning sites.
- Feeding Strategy: They are ambush predators, often swallowing smaller prey whole or dragging larger prey underwater.
How Long I Live
- Wild: 35 – 50 years
- Captivity: 65 – 80 years (Some specimens have exceeded 80)
Fun Facts
- Keystone Species: They dig “gator holes” in wetlands which retain water during droughts, providing a lifeline for other wildlife.
- Temperature-Dependent Sex: The gender of offspring is determined by the nest temperature. Warmer temps produce males; cooler temps produce females.
- Teeth: They have roughly 80 teeth at any given time and can go through 3,000 in a lifetime as they are constantly replaced.
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