| American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) |
| Other names: Common alligator |
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Alligator mississippiensis is restricted to the southeastern United States: from the southeastern Virginia and Florida to the southern Texas (Map). It inhabits freshwater marshes, cypress swamps, and lakes, but occasionally wanders into brackish water. This species plays an important role in wetland ecosystems through the creation of small ponds known as alligator holes. These holes retain water during the dry season and provide habitat for many aquatic or semi-aquatic species. Average length of adult males is 3.4 m and females 2.6 m (weight up to 360 kg and 90 kg respectively). However, alligators as long as 4.6 m, weighing up to 450 kg were recorded. The adults are dark grey, but the young have yellow bands. American Alligators gather for courtship in the spring. After mating, the female builds a nest of mud and vegetation in or near the water, lays 20-50 eggs, and covers them with vegetation. She remains near the nest until the eggs hatch (after ca. 65 days), and guards the hatchlings for up to a year. These alligators prey on fish, frogs, birds, mammals, turtles, snakes, crayfish, crabs, etc. Hatchlings feed on small fish, frogs, and invertebrates.
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