The alligator is a fascinating animal. Millions of people are afraid of it while an equal number adore it. The gator has a distinct look that reminds people of the dinosaurs. There’s even an ongoing debate that it descended from those prehistoric animals. One school of thought says the alligator’s form is the result of dinosaurs evolving to survive. But what is an alligator? This article will answer that and more.
What is an Alligator?
An alligator is a large reptile that’s shaped like a lizard. It has four short legs and a long tail. Its muscular and powerful tail is for swimming and for defense. The alligator has a rough hide with scales. It also has vertical pupils. These open wide when in low light conditions. It helps them see better in the dark and is the reason for their success as a nocturnal hunter. Gators also have a throat pouch that blocks water. This allows them to consume their prey underwater.
People often ask “how big can alligators get?” It’s not a surprise considering the reports of huge, man-eating gators. The American alligator is capable of growing up to 11.2 feet or 3.4 meters long. It can weigh as much as 454 kilograms or 1,000 lbs.
How to Distinguish an Alligator from a Crocodile
You can’t talk about the alligator without mentioning the crocodile. Both belong to the order Crocodylia. But the alligator belongs to the family Alligatoridae. The different species of alligators and crocodiles share a close relationship. They look so similar that most believe the two species to be one and the same.
There are two species of crocodilians native to the US. The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is often found in the southeastern regions. The other species is the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). It’s endangered and found in southern Florida.
Alligators are darker in color. They have a broad and rounded snout. They’re often found in freshwater. One way to know if you’re looking at an alligator or a crocodile is to look at its teeth. You can’t see the alligator’s fourth teeth on its lower jaw when it closes its mouth. It’s because these teeth fit into a socket in its upper jaw.
Crocodiles have a grayish-green color. They often live in salt-water environs. They also prefer brackish, coastal habitats. Crocodiles have a narrow, triangular snout. Unlike the gator, the crocodile’s fourth tooth is often exposed.
Another way to distinguish alligators and crocodiles is to be aware of your location. National Geographic says the two species rarely overlap in habitat or hunting range. But the American alligator and crocodile can overlap at the southern end of Florida. If you’re in the area, start paying attention to their distinguishing characteristics.
What Do Alligators Eat?
Gators and crocodiles are fierce predators. They can eat fish, amphibians, and other aquatic animals. The species are also known for eating birds and mammals. Their jaws are so powerful they can bring down animals twice their size. Alligators also eat reptiles, including smaller alligators or crocodiles.
Are Alligators Mammals?
No, the alligator is a reptile. In taxonomy, the alligator falls in the class Reptilia and in the order Crocodilia. Snakes, lizards, turtles, and geckos are other examples of reptiles. What does it mean for an animal to be a reptile? Alligators, like the rest of their class, have distinct characteristics.
· They’re oviparous. One question people often ask is “do alligators lay eggs?” Yes, they do. That’s what oviparous means. Gators reproduce via sex, although other reptiles are asexual. The eggs have shells. This serves as protection as the embryo grows. Some reptiles will bury their eggs in the sand while others will lay on them. · Reptiles are cold-blooded. Most reptiles are not capable of regulating their body temperature. They depend on their environment to warm them. It’s why you see alligators and crocodiles warming themselves during the day. But they will seek a shady or cool spot when the temperature is too high. Many reptiles hibernate during winter.
· They have four legs. Snakes are the exception to this rule. Lizards have four legs but they’re limited by their gait. Crocodiles and alligators have claws that help them hunt and move faster.
· They breathe through their lungs. It’s done in different ways by family or class. The lungs of snakes and lizards have axial muscles that they also use for moving. Alligators and crocodiles have muscular diaphragms. The muscles pull the pubis back to free up space so the lungs can expand.
· Reptiles are vertebrates. They have backbones and spinal cords running through the length of their bodies. They’re like birds and mammals in this regard. They also have a chain of endoskeleton running from the skull to the appendages. This helps with movement.
· They have scales or scutes. This is a defining characteristic of reptiles. Keratin is the main component of these scales. They cover the whole body. They also serve as protection and help them keep in moisture. Turtles, crocodiles, and alligators have scutes. They’re not overlapping like scales. They’re formed from the dermis and often work as armor.
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