Alligators are among the most formidable creatures on the planet. It’s easy to see why. They’re long and large. Their jaws are full of menacing-looking teeth. Many people look at gators and either think of dinosaurs or horror movie monsters.
Science has determined that the former isn’t true. Alligators are not some evolved form of dinosaurs. They do share certain similarities. It’s because their ancestors belonged to the same order as dinosaurs. There are other interesting things about the anatomy of an alligator. Here are some cool alligator facts.
They Have the Heart of a Bird
Many reptiles have three-chambered hearts, but alligator hearts have four chambers. This is akin to the hearts of birds and mammals. These hearts have two atria and two ventricles. The four chambers allow the heart to separate oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. It makes respiration more efficient and effective. It also allows alligators to swim underwater longer.
Another impressive thing about an alligator heart is it will keep beating. It won’t fibrillate when exposed to severe temperature changes. Many mammals are prone to heart trauma in this condition. It then leads to a condition where the heart doesn’t pump blood well. Alligators don’t experience this. They can still function even during extreme changes in temperatures. They can’t use any extra energy though.
Their Tails Tell a Tale
The tail is one of the most important parts of the anatomy of an alligator. It makes up half of the gator’s body. It’s also what the animal uses to move in the water. It also helps the gator hydroplane across the water’s surface. Hydroplane refers to the action wherein an object skims across a liquid surface. Think of how a motorboat moves across a lake. It’s the same principle.
Alligator tails are also very strong. Gators can propel themselves five feet out of the water using their tails. They can also defend themselves using their tails. They can whip them to hit another predator. Alligators store fat at the base of their tails. So a wide tail is a mark that an alligator is healthy and strong.
Their Blood is an Antibiotic
Scientists have discovered that alligator blood has antibiotic and antiviral properties. This amazing quirk in the anatomy of an alligator protects them from infection. Gator blood is active against viruses like HIV-1 and the Herpes simplex. The bad news is these properties are still under study. They’re not yet used in our medicines.
They Have Glow-in-the-Dark Peepers
It will amaze Florida visitors to see red eyes watching them in the dark. The eyes might belong to an alligator. Their eyes are on the top of their heads. This allows them to see their prey even when they’re lying submerged in water.
Their eyes are also like those of a cat. They have a component in the back of the eye that reflects light. It helps enhance their night vision. It also means that gator eyes will glow red when hit with light, like that from a flashlight. Experts say you can also guess how big the gator is by the distance of its eyes. The greater the distance, the larger the reptile.
They Have Almost a Hundred Teeth in Their Mouths
An alligator’s teeth are one of their most distinguishing features. They’re also its most menacing. It looks like there are so many teeth in that mouth. And there are! Gators have around 75 teeth in their mouths at any given time.
Like humans, gator teeth also break off. New ones grow to replace them. Unlike humans, gator teeth will keep growing back. Alligators reportedly go through around 3,000 teeth over their lifetime. These teeth also pack a serious punch. Gators have a bite force of almost 3,000 pounds per inch. Their bites are also counted as one of the strongest in the world. It’s how they can tear off chunks of meat from their prey.
Going on an Adventure Has Never Been Easier
You don’t have to go far to have an adventure. You can have a memorable one with Swamp Fever Airboat Adventures. We’re one of the best airboat rides you can find in the Sunshine State. We even have the votes to prove it! We offer fun outdoor activities for the whole family. Take a one-hour trip with us and see the amazing beauty of wild Florida. We’ll show you alligators, turtles, and other wildlife. Safety is not an issue when you have Captain Ron or our other captains at the helm. Call us at 352-643-0708 or message us here.
