[4][5] The Chinese alligator split from the American alligator about 33 million years ago[4] and probably descended from a lineage that crossed the Bering land bridge during the Neogene. Like many reptiles, alligators reach a larger size in Florida and other southern latitudes, sometimes reaching 15 feet. The two extant species are the American alligator (A. mississippiensis) and the Chinese alligator (A. sinensis). The states with the most alligators are Louisiana, Florida, and Alabama. However, it is listed as 'threatened by similarity of appearance', and as such, harvest and management is governed by the CITES Treaty (Convention . 1989. Gabrey, S. W. 2005. Gators remain fully protected in North Carolina, unlike those in eight states from South Carolina to Arkansas and Texas, which allow hunting. )", "Crocodilian Species - American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)". Cooperative Feeding, A Misinterpreted and Under-Reported Behavior of Crocodilians. [137] Allegheny College and San Francisco State University both have Gators as their mascots, as well.[138]. Alligators that go long enough without a meal during brumation will begin a process called autophagy, where the animal begins to consume its fat reserves to maintain its body weight until it can acquire a sufficient meal. [24] The largest reported individual size was a male killed in 1890 on Marsh Island, Louisiana, and reportedly measured at 5.84m (19ft 2in) in length, but no voucher specimen was available, since the American alligator was left on a muddy bank after having been measured due to having been too massive to relocate. Even with medical treatment, an American alligator bite may still result in a fatal infection.[126]. As human populations increase, and as they build houses in low-lying areas, or fish or hunt near water, incidents are inevitable where humans live near American alligators and their habitats. [70] In fact, the American alligator is found farther from the equator and is more equipped to handle cooler conditions than any other crocodilian. This listing provides federal protection for alligators but allows state-approved management and control programs. Occasionally, unwary adult birds are grabbed and eaten by American alligators, but most predation on bird species occurs with unsteady fledgling birds in late summer, as fledgling birds attempt to make their first flights near the water's edge. Their body alone ranges from 6 - 14 feet long. 2010. Recently a seven-foot alligator was videoed by TWRA Region 1 personnel in West Tennessee at the Wolf River WMA in Fayette County. The state that is probably least known for alligator populations is Oklahoma. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) runs an annual alligator survey along approximately 317 miles of waterways on 15 routes in 13 counties. [48] The re-circulation of blood leads to higher CO2 concentration as well as lower oxygen affinity. [2] Later English spellings of the name included allagarta and alagarto. Infrasonic waves from a bellowing male can cause the surface of the water directly over and to either side of his back to literally "sprinkle",[111] in what is commonly called the "water dance". Impacts of the coypu removal program on the diet of American alligators (. Together, these two subfamilies form the family Alligatoridae. [132] According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, raw alligator meat contains roughly 200 Calories (840 kJ) per 3-oz (85-g) portion, of which 27 Calories (130 kJ) come from fat. Legal Status. The same google search "How many alligators live in Florida" gave me this result With an estimated 1.3 million alligators in Florida, the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is warning Females are smaller, measuring 2.6 to 3m (8.5 to 9.8ft) in length. They play an important role as ecosystem engineers in wetland ecosystems through the creation of alligator holes, which provide both wet and dry habitats for other organisms. [88], Other animals may occasionally be eaten, even large deer or feral wild boars, but these are not normally part of the diet. [24] A few examples of animals consumed are largemouth bass, spotted gar, freshwater pearl mussels, American green tree frogs, yellow mud turtles, cottonmouths, common moorhens, and feral wild boars. [3], They inhabit swamps, streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. They are grouped in the family Alligatoridae with the caimans. On spring nights, American alligators gather in large numbers for group courtship, in the aforementioned "water dances". For the history, the United States is the only nation on earth where both alligators and . When young, alligators eat fish, insects, snails, crustaceans, and worms. Alligator holes retain 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. [57][58] The Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans has leucistic alligators found in a Louisiana swamp in 1987. (2016, April 30). The conservation status of the American alligator is listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. [99] Louisiana There are gators in every part of Louisiana. [23] If the size of this animal was correct, it would have weighed about 1,000kg (2,200lb). Wiki User . The natural sex ratio at hatching is five females to one male. [68][69], American alligators are less vulnerable to cold than American crocodiles. Young American alligators eat small fish, frogs, crayfish, and insects. An alligator measuring 19 ft. 2 in. . [85] In Louisiana, where introduced coypu are common, they are perhaps the most regular prey for adult American alligators, although only larger adults commonly eat this species. It is one of the two extant species in the genus Alligator, and is larger than the only other living alligator species, the Chinese alligator. Today, alligator farming is a large, growing industry in Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Louisiana. [29][30][31], Although the alligator has a heavy body and a slow metabolism, it is capable of short bursts of speed, especially in very short lunges. Alligators move on land by two forms of locomotion referred to as "sprawl" and "high walk". After the female lays her 20 to 50 white eggs, about the size of a goose egg, she covers them with more vegetation, which heats as it decays, helping to keep the eggs warm. Most of the state gets much too cold for gators to survive the winter, but there are some small regions that allow for a small population. and early 1960's, but protective action by state and federal governments helped keep them from disappearing completely. Unusually in these regions, reptiles and amphibians were the most important nonpiscivore prey, mostly turtles and water snakes. [54] In the water, American alligators swim like fish, moving their pelvic regions and tails from side to side. Only one of the American alligators was collected from the Colorado River, Mesa County, Colorado; the other was never recaptured, but there is no evidence of an established population (Livo et al., 1998). In Lake Griffin, fish made up 54% of the diet by weight, with catfish being most commonly consumed, while in Lake Apopka, fish made up 90% of the food and mostly shad were taken; in Lake Woodruff, the diet was 84% fish and largely consists of bass and sunfish. They will even consume carrion if they are sufficiently hungry. The American alligator ( Alligator mississippiensis ), sometimes referred to colloquially as a gator or common alligator, is a large crocodilian reptile native to the Southeastern United States. [86], Recently, a population of Burmese pythons became established in Everglades National Park. [95] American alligator predation on American black bears has also been recorded. [70] This adaptiveness is thought to be why American alligators are widespread further north than the American crocodile. [20][21], Large male American alligators reach an expected maximum size up to 4.6m (15ft 1in) in length and weighing up to 453kg (999lb), while females reach a maximum of 3m (9ft 10in). The high walk is an up-on-four-limbs forward motion used for overland travel with the belly well up from the ground. The largest populations occurred in the broad marl prairies to the east and west of the southern ridge and slough and to the mangrove estuaries inhabited by crocodiles. [52], During brumation the process of digestion experiences changes due to the fasting most alligators experience during these periods of inactivity. [32], Most of the muscle in an alligator's jaw evolved to bite and grip prey. They can grow to be more than 12 feet (3.6 meters) in length and weigh as much as 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms), with males being slightly larger than females on average. The Florida Naturalist, 41, 27, 6974. [1], The name "alligator" is probably an anglicized form of el lagarto, the Spanish term for "the lizard", which early Spanish explorers and settlers in Florida called the alligator. [127] Only nine fatal attacks occurred in the United States throughout the 1970s1990s, but American alligators killed 12 people between 2001 and 2007. Whenever an American alligator's mouth is closed, the fourth tooth is no longer visible. Alligators, unlike the large crocodiles, do not immediately regard a human upon encounter as prey, but may still attack in self-defense if provoked. [53], When on land, an American alligator moves either by sprawling or walking, the latter involving the reptile lifting its belly off the ground. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Louisiana. [90][91] Although American alligators have been listed as predators of the Nilgai and the West Indian manatees, very little evidence exists of such predation. Wetland Ecology: Principles and Conservation (2nd edition). [75], 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 felids), and depend on their gizzard, instead, to masticate their food. [23][125] Alligator bites are serious injuries, due to the reptile's sheer bite force and risk of infection. [57], American alligators, being native both to the Nearctic and Neotropical realms, are found in the wild in the Southeastern United States, from the Lowcountry in South Carolina, south to Everglades National Park in Florida, and west to the southeastern region of Texas. [79] When hunting terrestrial prey, American alligators may also ambush them from the edge of the water by grabbing them and pulling the prey into the water, the preferred method of predation of larger crocodiles. These American alligators are extremely rare and almost impossible to find in the wild. These microorganisms can be found in the high surface area of the mucosa folds of the intestines, as well as throughout the digestive tract. [20] The majority of American alligators inhabit Florida and Louisiana, with over a million alligators in each state. An easy characteristic to distinguish the two is the fourth tooth. The breeding season begins in the spring. The American alligator is a stunning example of a species that has fully recovered in large part due to protections provided by the Endangered Species Act. Herp highlight #1: American alligator. [77] This means they are among the first reptiles recorded to use tools. This may encourage people to approach alligators and their nests, which can provoke the animals into attacking. The state has a "healthy and stable population" of about 1.3 million alligators of every size, but the most common range in size from 4-12 feet. F. Wayne King, John Thorbjarnarson and Carlos Yamashita. Male alligators grow faster and larger than females. 1987. They are opportunists and their diet is determined largely by both their size and age and the size and availability of prey. For example, one long-term mark-recapture study (1979-2015) done at the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center in South Carolina found evidence to support patterns of determinate growth, with growth ceasing upon reaching a certain age (43 years for males and 31 years for females). Alligators and caimans split in North America during the late Cretaceous, and the caimans reached South America by the Paleogene, before the closure of the Isthmus of Panama during the Neogene period, from about 23 to 2.58 Mya. Since the late 1880s, alligator wrestling has been a source of entertainment for some. Reproduction According to the 2022 annual count, the U.S. population of Mexican wolves has increased, raising the total number of wolves in the wild to a minimum of 241 animals, a 23 percent increase. Bondavalli, C., and R. E. Ulanowicz. [89] Rarely, American alligators have been observed killing and eating bobcats, but such events are not common and have little effect on bobcat populations. The victim's neighbor can be heard on a 911 call as Gloria Serge was dragged underwater. Adults range in color from black or dark gray to dark olive. Dundee, H. A., and D. A. Rossman. As a result, an adult human can hold an alligator's jaws shut bare-handed. An average adult American alligator's weight and length is 360kg (790lb) and 4m (13ft), but they sometimes grow to 4.4m (14ft) long and weigh over 450kg (990lb). The young are tiny replicas of adults, with a series of yellow bands around their bodies that serve as camouflage. Estimated to be between 426.72cm and 457.2cm when spotted. Females hatched from eggs incubated at 30C (86F) weigh significantly more than males hatched from eggs incubated at 34C (93F). [42][43] In the past, immediately following the outlawing of alligator hunting, populations rebounded quickly due to the suppressed number of adults preying upon juveniles, increasing survival among the young alligators. [86] In this way, the vital ecological service they provide may be important in reducing rates of coastal wetland losses in Louisiana. Keddy PA, Gough L, Nyman JA, McFalls T, Carter J, Siegnist J (2009). [118] Young alligators grow 38in (7.620.3cm) a year and reach adulthood at 6ft (1.8m). Such incidents usually involve a panther trying to cross a waterway or coming down to a swamp or river to get a drink. This is due to the increase in CO2 concentration of the blood, resulting from the right to left shunting of the alligators heart. Cannibalism in the American alligator. If fed, the alligators will eventually lose their fear of humans and will learn to associate humans with food.[34]. Georgia The state of Georgia is no stranger to Alligators, and that is particularly true for the southeast quadrant of the state. View Case History American Alligator(1).pdf from FW 350 at Oregon State University, Corvallis. Nests constructed on leaves are hotter than those constructed on wet marsh, so the former tend to produce males and the latter, females. [50][48] The alligator's metabolism will also increase after a meal by up to four times its basal metabolic rate. It has a large, long head with visible upper teeth along the edge of the jaws. 1998. The alligator is no longer endangered. American alligators are often less aggressive towards humans than larger crocodile species, a few of which (mainly the Nile and saltwater crocodiles) may prey on humans with some regularity. This doesn't mean that residents should expect to see an alligator hanging out on every corner, but they shouldn't necessarily be shocked to spot an Alligator now and again either. [43], There is a common belief stated throughout reptilian literature that crocodilians, including the American alligator, exhibit indeterminate growth, meaning the animal continues to grow for the duration of its life. [50] Juveniles have small, needle-like teeth that become much more robust and narrow snouts that become broader as the individuals develop. [11] Male American alligators use infrasound to attract females. American alligators are large crocodilians found only in the United States. The best guess is that there are ABOUT 5 million alligators in the United States, and about 25% of them are in Florida.But they also live in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas and MAYBE even Tennessee. "Alligator hunters, pelt traders, and runaway consumption of Gulf coast marshes: a trophic cascade perspective on coastal wetland losses". Young are born with yellow bands around their bodies and are protected by their mother for up to one year.[12]. Description American alligators are large crocodilians found only in the United States. Females generally grow to less than 9 feet and weigh up to 200 pounds. Once an American alligator reaches full size and power in adulthood, any animal living in the water or coming to the water to drink is potential prey. The two kinds of white alligators are albino and leucistic. Black caiman, Charles, S.; Ross, A. and Garnett, Stephen (1989), Erickson, G. M., Lappin, A. K., & Vliet, K. A. Alligator holes are an oasis during the Everglades dry season, so are consequently important foraging sites for other organisms. 497 p. Chapter 4. [15] In 2016, a Miocene (about 23 to 5.3 Mya) fossil skull of an alligator was found at Marion County, Florida. [41] In Lake Griffin State Park, Florida, adults weighed on average 57.9kg (128lb). [5][6][7][8][9] The American alligator inhabits subtropical and tropical freshwater wetlands, such as marshes and cypress swamps, from southern Texas to North Carolina. [101][102], The diet of adult American alligators from central Florida lakes is dominated by fish, but the species is highly opportunistically based upon local availability. In 1987, the USFWS removed the animal from the endangered species list, as it was considered to be fully recovered. [44] Most other amniotes are believed to exhibit bidirectional, or tidal breathing. It is enclosed in a pocket in the upper jaw. [24] Mother American alligators eventually become more aggressive towards their young, which encourages them to disperse. Sharks are also known to prey on American alligators, in turn, indicating that encounters between the two predators are common. Hence, Louisiana has had a bounty to try to reduce nutria numbers. [135] Several organizations and products from Florida have been named after the animal. [118] They are preyed on by large fish, birds, raccoons, Florida panthers, and adult American alligators. The Chinese alligator currently is found in only the Yangtze River valley and parts of adjacent provinces[19] and is extremely endangered, with only a few dozen believed to be left in the wild. Wolfe, J. L., D. K. Bradshaw, and R. H. Chabreck. Alligator feeding habits: New data and a review. Females rarely exceed 9 feet in length and large females can weigh more than 200 pounds. [78], 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 or night. The role of the alligator in shaping plant communities and maintaining wildlife in the southern Everglades. Alligator hunters, pelt traders, and runaway consumption of Gulf coast marshes: A trophic cascade perspective on coastal wetland losses. [22][23], During the 19th and 20th centuries, larger males reaching 5 to 6m (16ft 5in to 19ft 8in) were reported. Alligator hides bring good prices and hides in the 6- to 7-ft range have sold for $300 each. Since hunting and trapping preferentially take the large American alligators that are the most important in eating nutria, some changes in harvesting may be needed to capitalize on their ability to control nutria. American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) An ESA success story Photo: Expert Help. The Chinese alligator likely descended from a lineage that crossed the Bering land bridge during the Neogene. [22] Meanwhile, their undersides are cream-colored. [114], American alligators typically live to the age of 50, and possibly over 70 years old. [110] Males are known to use infrasound during mating bellows. [25] In Arkansas, a man killed an American alligator that was 4.04m (13ft 3in) and 626kg (1,380lb). [66], Nutria were introduced into coastal marshes from South America in the mid-20th century, and their population has since exploded into the millions. The type of food eaten by alligators depends upon their age and size. American alligators also may control the long-term vegetation dynamics in wetlands by reducing the population of small mammals, particularly coypu, which may otherwise overgraze marsh vegetation. [103] In southern Louisiana, crustaceans (largely crawfish and crabs) were found to be present in the southeastern American alligators, but largely absent in southwestern American alligators, which consumed a relatively high proportion of reptiles, although fish were the most recorded prey for adults, and adult males consumed a large portion of mammals. In Louisiana, alligators are most common in coastal marshes. There are also nearly 1 million alligators on farms in Louisiana. The ontogeny of bite-force performance in American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). [14][15] Another one of the oldest lives on record is that of Muja, an American alligator who was brought as an adult specimen to the Belgrade Zoo in Serbia from Germany in 1937. [24] As they grow and develop, the morphology of their teeth and jaws change significantly. Its front feet have 5 toes, while rear feet have 4 toes that are webbed. [23] Subsequent conservation efforts have allowed their numbers to increase and the species was removed from endangered status in 1987. Louisiana has the highest alligator population, approaching 2 million (alligatorfur.com) According to U.S. Louisiana has the largest alligator population. American alligators occasionally prey on large mammals, such as deer, but usually do so when fish and smaller prey levels go down. [37][27] As humans encroach into their habitat, attacks are few but not unknown. Virginia Living Museum. Their most important economic benefit to humans may be the control of coypu and muskrats. [93] However, the python is also known to occasionally prey on alligators, a form of both competition and predation. This behavior has qualified the American alligator to be considered a keystone species. According to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, "the American alligator is found in the United States from North Carolina to the Rio Grande in Texas. The gastroliths work to grind up the meal as alligators will take large bites or swallow smaller prey whole. 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. And San Francisco state University both have gators as their mascots, as it was considered be! 69 ], recently, a man killed an American alligator ( mississippiensis. 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