Alligators are members of the crocodilian group of reptiles, and they live in the United States and Eastern China.
Two species currently exist, which include the American alligator and Chinese alligator. They are instantly recognizable because they have tough, scaly skin, webbed feet, long tails, and powerful jaws.
How Much Do Alligators Weigh?
The larger American alligator can be as long as 15 feet and weighs 500 to 1,000 pounds.
Chinese alligators are smaller, measuring 4 1/2 to 5 feet and weighing approximately 80 pounds.
How Much Does a Baby Alligator Weigh?
Females build nests made from sticks, mud, and plants and lay 10 to 50 eggs.
After incubation, baby alligators, also known as a hatchlings or grunts, hatch from their eggs and measure around 6 to 8 inches and weigh between 1 and 2 ounces.
Interesting Facts About Alligators:
Gators are cold-blooded reptiles that look similar to crocodiles. However, alligators are smaller in size.
An alligator also has a U-shaped snout, but a crocodile has a V-shaped snout.
They like to spend time alone; but because they are cold-blooded creatures, it’s not unusual to see groups of alligators, also known as ‘congregations’ lying out in the sun to warm up their bodies
Alligators are freshwater reptiles that can be found in swamps, wetlands, ponds, rivers, and marshy areas.
They have a very powerful bite. However, their jaws are not very powerful when an alligator opens them, which means their mouth can be held closed by a human!
Birds, fish, small reptiles, small mammals, and mollusks are the main types of foods these carnivores eat. However, some have been known to eat plants and fruit, too.
~ Fun Fact ~
The saying “cool as a cucumber” comes from the fact that the inside of a cucumber remains around 11 degrees cooler than outside temperatures, mainly because of its high water content.
Resources:
https://www.florida-alligator.com/General-Information/Alligator-Facts
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/american-alligator