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American
Alligator
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Alligator Mississipienis
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General Information
The blunt-snouted
alligator is grouped together with the caimen species into
the family Alligatordae. Alligators can be distinguished
from crocodiles by the fourth mandibular tooth which fits
into the upper jaw and cannot be seen when the jaw is
closed. In crocodiles, this tooth is visible at all times.
The biggest danger to alligators is the human race.
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Zoo Observations
At the Utica Zoo these
animals didn't move much at all. They seemed to like each
other's company . Every time they moved, they got closer to
each other. The alligator barely seemed to keep its head
above the water. It responded well to the flash of the
camera and didn't snarl or even really react to the flash.
It didn't even move rapidly.
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Niche / Habitat
The American Alligator's
niche is to eat animals that come close to its dwelling. It
keeps the animal population down around the swampy areas.
This animal is not a nocturnal animal. It comes out in the
day and sleeps most of the night.
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Adaptations
Some of the adaptations
of the alligator are its back webbed feet for steering and
bulging eyes which make it look like a log. American
alligators have very dark and camouflaged skin. They also
have very sharp teeth for ripping off flesh and eating prey.
Nostrils on top of their long noses help them to breathe on
top of the water.
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Food
Web
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Environmental Change
The environmental change in the
alligator's habitat is that people build on their habitat. This
forces the alligator to find a new place to live. The female
alligator usually has to build a mound for its young out of the
materials that are available.
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References
Johnston, Bernard.
Colliers
Encyclopedia.
1993.
Levitton, Alan. Reptiles and Amphibians of North
America. New York:
Double Day and Company
Publishing.
Academic American
Encyclopedia. New York:
Colliers, Inc. 1993.
Freshwater Biome
/ Return to Animals
