Alligators and crocodiles are not one and the same. Though they are closely related as they are both reptiles, they have a lot of differences. How do we know if it’s a crocodile or an alligator? Physically, alligators have wider and rounder snouts compared to crocodiles with pointed snouts. The reptiles also differ in their habitats. Crocodiles can only be found in tropical regions living in rivers, lakes, wetlands, and sometimes in saltwater. Alligators, on the other hand, can mostly be found in freshwater. Alligators cannot tolerate saltwater for long periods because of the absence of salt glands that are present in crocodiles. They also are found in swamps, lakes, marshes, and rivers.
There are still a lot of crocodile species found in the world. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same for the alligators. So, where do alligators live in the world? Today, only two species are known, and they can be found in China and the United States.
The Last Two Alligator Species
The last two alligator species remaining in the world are the Chinese alligators and the American alligators. The Chinese alligator is considered critically endangered, and there are many wildlife refuges doing conservation efforts to prevent them from becoming extinct.
There is still a big threat to the remaining alligator species in the wild. Threats including illegal hunting and killing for meat and leather, plus continuous land development drives them from their natural habitats.
Chinese Alligator
The Chinese alligators, also known as the Yangtze alligators, are already critically endangered species. Based on the latest reports, there are only approximately fewer than 150 Chinese alligators left in the wild. Their natural food includes snails, insects, rodents, waterfowls, fish and crustaceans. The rapid decline in the Chinese alligator population is mainly due to the loss of habitat. Economic development also plays a part in the decline in Chinese alligator numbers as their food sources become polluted and contaminated with pesticides and fertilizers.
Wildlife and environmental organizations are now working together in the attempt to save the last remaining Chinese alligator population. They are closely monitoring the ones they have in captivity, with efforts to reintroduce captive-reared Chinese alligators to the wild. They also have implemented educational programs in nearby local communities.
Where can you find Chinese alligators today? They can only be found in the slow-moving parts of the Yangtze River in China, specifically in the Zhejiang and the Anhui provinces in Eastern China.
American Alligators
The good news is that American alligators are not suffering the same fate as their Chinese relatives. But that was not always the case. They were once considered endangered in the 1950s and 1960s due to habitat loss and unregulated killing and hunting. Today, they are now considered the least concerned species.
In the 1800s, alligator hides became popular due to alligator skin handbags. The handbags are associated with luxury and wealth, that is why they were mostly sought after by the elites. They are known for their texture and high quality. Up until now, even with the Endangered Species Act, alligator and crocodile skin handbags and leathers are still the highest-worth items and belong to the finest collections of the most elite brands in the world. The Endangered Species Act prohibits the importation and exportation among others, of any products made from crocodiles, alligators and other related reptiles.
Where do you find American alligators? Based on recent data, there are more than five million American alligators in the wild in the United States. American alligators go all the way from the wetlands in Florida to the swamps in North Carolina up to the long rivers of Rio Grande in Texas. The most famous states for American alligators are Louisiana, with a population of two million gators, and Florida, with a gator population of more than one million. The rest of the three million American alligator population live in other states.
What To Do In The Presence Of An Alligator In The Wild?
Alligators are naturally afraid of humans. They are usually tame and only attack if threatened or if they feel the need to defend their territories. These creatures are more likely to flee than be aggressive. If you happen to see a gator on land, do not attempt to go near it or feed them. Running away fast is still the best option.
If you hear them hiss, you are most likely too close to them. A twenty to thirty feet distance away from an alligator is considered a safe distance. You can also try making a lot of loud noises to scare the alligators away and avoid any attacks. Though it is a relief to know that alligators typically don’t run after their prey, they are still quick movers so keeping a safe distance is the smartest thing to do.
Always keep an eye on water banks as the alligators prefer to warm up and stay in the sun in these areas. Avoid swimming in the lakes between dusk and dawn as alligators are most active during these times. If you want to go fishing and an alligator moves near your fishing spot, do not even think about staying. Move and find a new fishing spot, instead.
Move away from the soil, grasses, and twigs piles you see on water edges. They could be alligator nests and female gators are known to be aggressive, especially in protecting their eggs. Also, keep your pets away from water edges because it’s been known for small pets to be an alligator’s prey.
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