About This Animal

• Big and Mighty: American alligators can grow up to 13-15 feet long, but some have been known to reach over 19 feet!
• Teeth for Days: They have about 80 teeth in their mouths, which they use for grabbing and crushing their food. When their teeth wear down, new ones grow in.
• Scaly Armor: Their bodies are covered in tough, scaly skin that helps protect them from predators.
• Where They Live: American alligators are usually found in swamps, marshes, and rivers in the southeastern United States, especially in Florida and Louisiana.
• Cool and Calm: They’re cold-blooded, so they need to bask in the sun to warm up. You'll often see them lying on the banks of lakes and rivers.
• Alligator vs. Crocodile: They’re often confused with crocodiles, but alligators have a U-shaped snout, while crocodiles have a V-shaped one.
• Good Swimmers: Alligators are excellent swimmers and can stay underwater for up to an hour while hunting for food.
• Parents Care: Female alligators build nests for their eggs and will protect them until they hatch. After the babies are born, she helps them get to the water.
• Diet: They are carnivores and eat fish, birds, mammals, and sometimes even smaller alligators.
• Communicators: Alligators make a variety of sounds, including growls, roars, and barks, to communicate with each other.