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Featured Creature
American Bullfrog
American Alligator
Texas Horned Lizard
AMERICAN ALLIGATOR!
RANGE: The American Alligator inhabits the southern United States! It lives in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisana, Texas, Oklahonma and Arkansas.
DESCRIPTION: 6'-13.4' Largest reptile in North America. Distinguished from American Crocodile by it wide broad snout. Generally black with yellowish or cream crossbands that become less apparent with age.
VOICE: During the breeding season adults produce a throaty deep-pitched bellowing roar that can be heard over a considerable distance!
BREEDING: American Alligators mate after emerging from hibernation. In June, female alligators build a nest mound of mud and vegetation. She then lays 20-60 eggs in a depression in the top of the nest that she has excavated. During the 9 weeks of incubation the alligator stays close to the nest. The calling of the young alligators inside the nest prompts the female to dig up the eggs. Alligators show great parental care. The young alligators will remain with their mother for 1-3 years!
HABITAT: The alligator inhabits fresh and brackish marshes, ponds, lakes, rivers, swamps, bayous and big spring runs.
HABITAT IMPORTANCE: Alligators are important to the ecology of there habitats. During droughts alligators dig deep holes which provide water for the wildlife community.
The bottom picture of the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is an Albino (lacking all black color) and there are only 30 true albino alligators in the world!
