Alligator
 |
 |
 |
The average size of the adult female alligator is about 10 feet while males typically grow to be about 14 feet long. Some American alligator lengths have been recorded upwards of 19 to 20 feet though there have not been any recent records of adults growing to that length.
More Alligator Articles:
More Alligator Resources:
The legs of the American alligator are very short, yet very strong. They can move the animal at a speed fast enough to catch certain land animals. An interesting characteristic is the front feet have five toes while the back feet have four. Wild alligators have a wider nose than captive ones, a trait brought on by the differences in diet.
They have nostrils that allow them to lay almost entirely under water and still breath. Alligators can hibernate with their nostrils out of the water where the top of the water is frozen. They have a characteristic large fourth tooth in their lower jaws that sets into an opening in their upper jaw so that larger tooth is not seen when the mouth is shut.
Males and females both have extremely tough skins and a thick, muscular tail that they use to move when swimming as well as to attack prey and defend themselves when out of the water. Adults have an olive green to dark green colored back and a white to yellowish white belly. Young alligators have bright yellow strips down their bodies that they grow out of when they become mature.
Loading ...
Popularity: 3%
