Alligators Park

Alligators’ legs may be short but they can run at a gallop. Their forelegs have five toes while their hind legs have only four. Their nostrils, located at the top of their snout, allow them to breathe while the rest of their body is completely submerged.

Alligators are found in Florida, Virginia and Texas, as well as southern California.

Alligators usually live in swamps, freshwater marshes, rivers and lakes, and sometimes in smaller bodies of water. They can tolerate slightly brackish water.

Young alligators generally remain close to the location where they were born. This social life ends once they reach adulthood, when they leave and take up a solitary existence. The mating season produces striking displays. Males place themselves on the surface of the water and create vibrations that cause ripples across the surface. It is usually a very impressive sight. This intimidation may be enough to ward off rivals, but sometimes violent clashes take place, which can even result in the death of the weaker animal.

• Habitat

  Wamps, freshwater marshes, rivers and lakes, and sometimes in smaller bodies of water
• Food

  Turtles, small mammals, birds and reptiles

Did you know ?

Young alligators usually stay close to where they were born. But this situation does not last. Once adults, they separate to lead a lonely life.