[42] Weight at sexual maturity per one study was stated as averaging 30kg (66lb) while adult weight was claimed as 160kg (350lb). The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), sometimes referred to colloquially as a gator or common alligator, is a large crocodilian reptile native to the Southeastern United States. Most of the state gets much too cold for gators to survive the winter, but there are some small regions that allow for a small population. This type of protection allowed the alligator population to increase. On average, it is the largest species in the family Alligatoridae, with only the black caiman being possibly longer. [7], The genus Alligator belongs to the subfamily Alligatorinae, which is the sister taxon to Caimaninae (the caimans). Nests constructed on leaves are hotter than those constructed on wet marsh, so the former tend to produce males and the latter, females. [121], American alligators play an important role in the restoration of the Everglades as biological indicators of restoration success. [70] The temperature at which American alligator eggs develop determines their sex (see temperature-dependent sex determination). Juveniles can perform a high-pitched hatchling call (a "yelping" trait common to many crocodilian species' hatchling young)[109] to alert their mothers when they are ready to emerge from the nest. After the female lays her 20 to 50 white eggs, about the size of a goose egg, she covers them with more vegetation, which heats as it decays, helping to keep the eggs warm. [65] Females and juveniles are also found in Carolina Bays and other seasonal wetlands. Additionally, several extinct species of alligator are known from fossil remains. [82][83] As they grow, American alligators gradually expand to larger prey. The baby alligator's egg tooth helps it get out of its egg during hatching time. 911 Call Reveals Moments After Gator Attacks Elderly Woman. Keddy PA, Gough L, Nyman JA, McFalls T, Carter J, Siegnist J (2009). [86][85] It has also been reported that large American alligators prey on medium-sized American alligators, which had preyed on hatchlings and smaller juveniles. [33], Alligators are generally timid towards humans and tend to walk or swim away if one approaches. During summer, males still preferred open water, while females remained in the swamps to construct their nests and lay their eggs. [5][6][7][8][9] The American alligator inhabits subtropical and tropical freshwater wetlands, such as marshes and cypress swamps, from southern Texas to North Carolina. The Cuban crocodile, "Trappers catch crocodile in Lake Tarpon," Tampa Bay Times, July 12, 2013. These microorganisms can be found in the high surface area of the mucosa folds of the intestines, as well as throughout the digestive tract. These items help the American alligator in the process of digestion by crushing up the meat and bones of animals, especially animals with shells. may seem too good to be true, but then, some truths are quite incredible in themselves. [123] They may provide a protection service for water birds nesting on islands in freshwater wetlands. Georgia The state of Georgia is no stranger to Alligators, and that is particularly true for the southeast quadrant of the state. [11] The Chinese alligator is smaller, rarely exceeding 2.1m (7ft) in length. [73], American alligators modify wetland habitats, most dramatically in flat areas such as the Everglades, by constructing small ponds known as alligator holes. American Alligator Common Name: American alligators Scientific Name: Alligator mississippiensis Type: Reptiles Diet: Carnivore Group Name: Congregation Average Life Span In The Wild: 35 to 50. [45], The alligator has a similar digestive system to that of the crocodile, with minor differences in morphology and enzyme activity. Incubation temperatures of 30C (86F) or lower produce a clutch of females; those of 34C (93F) or higher produce entirely males. The same google search "How many alligators live in Florida" gave me this result With an estimated 1.3 million alligators in Florida, the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is warning [128] In May 2006, American alligators killed three Floridians in less than a week. 7 min read. (2010). Large alligators feed extensively on coypu, and provide a vital ecological service by reducing coypu numbers.[27]. Dundee, H. A., and D. A. Rossman. Watch on. In the future, possible American alligator populations may be found in areas of Mexico adjacent to the Texas border. Although it was originally thought that alligators never stop growing, studies have now found that males stop growing at around the age of 43 years, and females stop growing at around the age of 31 years.[44]. Louisiana has the largest alligator population. [20][21], Large male American alligators reach an expected maximum size up to 4.6m (15ft 1in) in length and weighing up to 453kg (999lb), while females reach a maximum of 3m (9ft 10in). The air first enters the outer branch, moves through the parabronchi, and exits the lung through the inner branch. The 11 feet-long gator was later captured and killed. Unexpected effects of predators upon their prey: The case of the American alligator. The Chinese alligator likely descended from a lineage that crossed the Bering land bridge during the Neogene. [86] In this way, the vital ecological service they provide may be important in reducing rates of coastal wetland losses in Louisiana. The American alligator is classified by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as similarity of appearance to a threatened taxon. [32], Most of the muscle in an alligator's jaw evolved to bite and grip prey. [25] They are, therefore, considered an important species for maintaining ecological diversity in wetlands. Females are produced at temperatures less than 31.5oC; mixed sex ratios occur at 32oC, and males only are produced when temperatures are between 32.5 and 33oC. The American alligator was abundant in the pre-drainage Everglades in south Florida. Nyman, T. McFalls, J. Carter and J. Siegrist (2009). Even with medical treatment, an American alligator bite may still result in a fatal infection.[126]. [110] Males are known to use infrasound during mating bellows. An X-ray revealed that she . [115] The female builds a nest of vegetation, sticks, leaves, and mud in a sheltered spot in or near the water. [87], If an American alligator's primary food resource is not available, it will sometimes feed on carrion and non-prey items such as rocks and artificial objects, like bottle caps. Adults range in color from black or dark gray to dark olive. This information helps TPWD determine trends in the population, assess alligator habitat and establish wise hunting limits for the species. American alligators are large crocodilians found only in the United States. According to the 2022 annual count, the U.S. population of Mexican wolves has increased, raising the total number of wolves in the wild to a minimum of 241 animals, a 23 percent increase. [27][28] The largest American alligator scientifically verified in Florida for the period from 1977 to 1993 was reportedly 4.23m (13ft 11in) and weighed 473kg (1,043lb), although another specimen (size estimated from skull) may have measured 4.54m (14ft 11in). The acidity of the stomach has been observed to increase once digestion begins. [5][6] On rare occasions, a large, old male may grow to an even greater length. [60] Alligators have been naturally expanding their range into Tennessee,[61] and have established a small population in the southwestern part of that state via inland waterways, according to the state's wildlife agency. Louisiana What States have alligators? [47] Once an alligator's meal has been processed it will move on to the second portion of the stomach which is highly acidic. Wolfe, J. L., D. K. Bradshaw, and R. H. Chabreck. Since the late 1880s, alligator wrestling has been a source of entertainment for some. [10] It is distinguished from the sympatric American crocodile by its broader snout, with overlapping jaws and darker coloration, and is less tolerant of saltwater but more tolerant of cooler climates than the American crocodile, which is found only in tropical and warm subtropical climates. Estimated to be between 426.72cm and 457.2cm when spotted. Impacts of the coypu removal program on the diet of American alligators (. Alligators. )", "Crocodilian Species - American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)". This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 04:33. Fossils identical to the existing American alligator are found throughout the Pleistocene, from 2.5 million to 11.7 thousand years ago. Hatchlings mostly feed on invertebrates such as insects, insect larvae, snails, spiders, and worms, as well as small fish and frogs. It is one of the two extant species in the genus Alligator, and is larger than the only other living alligator species, the Chinese alligator . [21] [22] A small population is also found in Tamaulipas, in Mexico. The muscles that close the jaws are powerful, but the muscles for opening their jaws are weak. [22] Meanwhile, their undersides are cream-colored. Louisiana has the highest alligator population, currently approaching 2 million. These states produce a combined annual total of some 45,000 alligator hides. [108] The American alligator can perform specific vocalizations to declare territory, signal distress, threaten competitors, and locate suitable mates. Alligators and caimans split in North America during the late Cretaceous, and the caimans reached South America by the Paleogene, before the closure of the Isthmus of Panama during the Neogene period, from about 23 to 2.58 Mya. [22], Additionally, American alligators have recently been filmed and documented killing and eating sharks and rays; four incidents documented indicated that bonnetheads, lemon sharks, Atlantic stingrays, and nurse sharks are components of the animal's diet. The bellows of male American alligators are accompanied by powerful blasts of infrasound. When the young begin to hatch their "yelping" calls can sometimes even be heard just before hatching commences the mother quickly digs them out and carries them to the water in her mouth,[24] as some other crocodilian species are known to do. They will even consume carrion if they are sufficiently hungry. The victim's neighbor can be heard on a 911 call as Gloria Serge was dragged underwater. The sprawling of American alligators and other crocodylians is not similar to that of salamanders and lizards, being similar to walking. In April and May, alligators form so-called "bellowing choruses". Sounds ranged from 50 to 1200Hz. An easy characteristic to distinguish the two is the fourth tooth. [16], The alligator's full mitochondrial genome was sequenced in the 1990s, and it suggests the animal evolved at a rate similar to mammals and greater than birds and most cold-blooded vertebrates. In order to understand and properly manage Texas's alligator population, TPWD Wildlife Division conducts extensive studies in the state on the number, character and harvest of alligators every year. In 1967, the American alligator was listed as an endangered species (under a law that was the precursor Endangered Species Act of 1973), since it was believed to be in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. This listing has been adopted by the State of Florida. According to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, "the American alligator is found in the United States from North Carolina to the Rio Grande in Texas. [71] When the water begins to freeze, American alligators go into a period of brumation; they stick their snouts through the surface, which allows them to breathe above the ice,[66] and they can remain in this state for several days. [127] Only nine fatal attacks occurred in the United States throughout the 1970s1990s, but American alligators killed 12 people between 2001 and 2007. [19] Weight varies considerably depending on length, age, health, season, and available food sources. Killed by Max Touchet, a game warden on Marsh Island following an attempted live capture. If fed, the alligators will eventually lose their fear of humans and will learn to associate humans with food.[34]. Adult male American alligators measure 3.4 to 4.6m (11.2 to 15.1ft) in length, and can weigh up to 450kg (1,000lb), with unverified sizes of up to 5.84m (19.2ft) and weights of 1,000kg (2,200lb) making it the second longest member of the family Alligatoridae, after the black caiman, while being the heaviest. Members of this superfamily first arose in the late Cretaceous, about 10065 million years ago (Mya). Adult American alligators held the record as having the strongest laboratory-measured bite of any living animal, measured at up to 13,172N (1,343.2kgf; 2,961lbf). They may kill larger prey by grabbing it and dragging it into the water to drown. Mandy Stokes' alligator declared new SCI World Record, "19-Foot Alligator: The Fascinating True Story", "WATCH: Massive gator strolls through Palmetto golf course", "Famous 15-foot gator named 'Chubbs' returns to Florida golf course", "How is Chubbs the Alligator These Days? Adult American alligators can growl, hiss, or cough to threaten others and declare territory. [118] Young alligators grow 38in (7.620.3cm) a year and reach adulthood at 6ft (1.8m). [64], American alligators are listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meaning that international trade in the species (including parts and derivatives) is regulated. [63], Historically, hunting and habitat loss have severely affected American alligator populations throughout their range, and whether the species would survive was in doubt. Alligator holes are an oasis during the Everglades dry season, so are consequently important foraging sites for other organisms. Historically, hunting had decimated their population, and the American alligator was listed as an endangered species by the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Fish and Wildlife, both Florida and Louisiana have 1.5 million alligators. American alligator predation on Florida panthers is rare, but has been documented. Here's a complete rundown. [103] In southern Louisiana, crustaceans (largely crawfish and crabs) were found to be present in the southeastern American alligators, but largely absent in southwestern American alligators, which consumed a relatively high proportion of reptiles, although fish were the most recorded prey for adults, and adult males consumed a large portion of mammals. The American Alligator population was dramatically reduced by the 1950s and 1960s and a majority of the wild population was likely lost (USFWS 2008). Cannibalism in the American alligator. In Florida, feeding wild alligators at any time is illegal. Louisiana has the highest alligator population, approaching 2 million (alligatorfur.com) According to U.S. [24] The largest reported individual size was a male killed in 1890 on Marsh Island, Louisiana, and reportedly measured at 5.84m (19ft 2in) in length, but no voucher specimen was available, since the American alligator was left on a muddy bank after having been measured due to having been too massive to relocate. Adult American alligators also spend considerable time hunting on land, up to 160 feet (50m) from water, ambushing terrestrial animals on trailsides and road shoulders. In NC, males can reach 13 feet and weigh up to 500 pounds or more. [15] In 2016, a Miocene (about 23 to 5.3 Mya) fossil skull of an alligator was found at Marion County, Florida. An alligator with an immobilized tail cannot perform a death roll. ", "Insights into the ecology and evolutionary success of crocodilians revealed through bite-force and tooth-pressure experimentation", "American Crocodile: Species Description", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alligator&oldid=1141899701, This page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 12:41. Male alligators grow faster and larger than females. This is not often seen, since if disturbed, they quickly retreat back into the water by jumping from their perch. [18][19], American alligators are found in the southeast United States: all of Florida and Louisiana; the southern parts of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi; coastal South and North Carolina; East Texas, the southeast corner of Oklahoma, and the southern tip of Arkansas. Young American alligators eat small fish, frogs, crayfish, and insects. [70] This adaptiveness is thought to be why American alligators are widespread further north than the American crocodile. [28] Alligators have also been observed to rise up and balance on their hind legs and semi-step forward as part of a forward or upward lunge. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) runs an annual alligator survey along approximately 317 miles of waterways on 15 routes in 13 counties. Gabrey, S. W. 2005. [29][30][31], Although the alligator has a heavy body and a slow metabolism, it is capable of short bursts of speed, especially in very short lunges. [52], During brumation the process of digestion experiences changes due to the fasting most alligators experience during these periods of inactivity. The Florida Naturalist, 41, 27, 6974. [26] The largest American alligator ever killed in Florida was 5.31m (17ft 5in), as reported by the Everglades National Park, although this record is unverified. Coasts, "The American Alligator: An Indicator Species for Everglades Restoration", "Nesting Island Creation for Wading Birds", Crocodile and Alligator Differences Animal Facts for Kids, Disney alligator attack: Resort to add warning signs, source says, 10.1580/1080-6032(2005)16[119:AAOHIT]2.0.CO;2, "A String of Deaths by Gators in Florida", "Alligator wrestling cruelty or tradition? [24] American alligators are often mistaken for a similar animal: the American crocodile. This latest sighting is one of several confirmed sightings of alligators in Southwest Tennessee. Today, alligator farming is a large, growing industry in Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Louisiana. Such incidents usually involve a panther trying to cross a waterway or coming down to a swamp or river to get a drink. Leidyosuchus of Alberta is the earliest known fossil, from the Campanian era 83 to 72 Mya. Indeed, far more Chinese alligators live in zoos around the world than can be found in the wild. [112] Large bellowing "choruses" of American alligators during the breeding season are commonly initiated by females and perpetuated by males. While they prefer fresh water, American alligators may sometimes wander into brackish water,[66] but are less tolerant of salt water than American crocodiles, as the salt glands on their tongues do not function. In 1908, a printer made a spur-of-the-moment decision to print an alligator emblem on a shipment of the school's football pennants. Wiki User . [21][22] A small population is also found in Tamaulipas, in Mexico. The Chinese alligator currently is found in only the Yangtze River valley and parts of adjacent provinces[19] and is extremely endangered, with only a few dozen believed to be left in the wild. [24] A few examples of animals consumed are largemouth bass, spotted gar, freshwater pearl mussels, American green tree frogs, yellow mud turtles, cottonmouths, common moorhens, and feral wild boars. Like many reptiles, alligators reach a larger size in Florida and other southern latitudes, sometimes reaching 15 feet. Such general rules include: Alligator in the Everglades National Park, Alligator in the Canberra Zoo in Australia, Juvenile alligator found in Everglades National Park. Eggs are laid in a nest of vegetation, sticks, leaves, and mud in a sheltered spot in or near the water. The USFWS still regulates the legal trade in American alligators and their products to protect still endangered crocodilians that may be passed off as American alligators during trafficking. [79] When hunting terrestrial prey, American alligators may also ambush them from the edge of the water by grabbing them and pulling the prey into the water, the preferred method of predation of larger crocodiles. [116] The nests built on levees are warmer, thus produce males, while the cooler nests of wet marsh produce females. The animal's dark skin is armored with small, bony scales called scutes. Similar to many other reptiles that range expansively into temperate zones, American alligators from the northern end of their range, such as southern Arkansas, Alabama, and northern North Carolina, tend to reach smaller sizes. Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in southern Louisiana has several in captivity in an attempt to preserve the species. The Gatornationals is a NHRA drag race held at the Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville since 1970. The state has a "healthy and stable population" of about 1.3 million alligators of every size, but the most common range in size from 4-12 feet. Wild Alligator Harvest Summaries By Year 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 115133. Substantial American alligator populations in the Everglades might be a contributing factor, as a competitor, in keeping the python populations low, preventing the spread of the species north. [20] The majority of American alligators inhabit Florida and Louisiana, with over a million alligators in each state. Both sexes may den underneath banks or clumps of trees during the winter. In 1807, Georges Cuvier created the genus Alligator;[13] the American alligator and the Chinese alligator are the only extant species in the genus. Together, these two subfamilies form the family Alligatoridae. . [99] [1] The alligator's full mitochondrial genome was sequenced in the 1990s. F. Wayne King, John Thorbjarnarson and Carlos Yamashita. snails) in often equal measure as they did fish. In 1987, the USFWS removed the animal from the endangered species list, as it was considered to be fully recovered. However, in the past few years, the population has also grown in these places. Historically, the American Alligator was common and abundant throughout the southeastern United States. -23.28% (-27) Rank in State 354th Rank in Country 26937th The current population of Alligator, Mississippi is 89 based on our projections of the latest US Census estimates.The last official US Census in 2020 recorded the population at 116. Infrasonic waves from a bellowing male can cause the surface of the water directly over and to either side of his back to literally "sprinkle",[111] in what is commonly called the "water dance". The two kinds of white alligators are albino and leucistic. Alligators can be legally taken only . Louisiana harvested about 30,000 alligators last year--a number almost equivalent to the entire Mississippi alligator population. As they mature, progressively larger prey is taken, including larger fish such as gar, turtles, and various mammals, particularly coypu and muskrat,[24] as well as birds, deer, and other reptiles. Southern Florida is the only place where both alligators and crocodiles live side by side. Wading birds appear to be attracted to areas with American alligators and have been known to nest at heavily trafficked tourist attractions with large numbers of American alligators, such as the St. Augustine Alligator Farm in St. Augustine, Florida. The sprawl is a forward movement with the belly making contact with the ground and is used to transition to "high walk" or to slither over wet substrate into water. Alligator in captivity The states that have alligators are Florida, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, North and South Carolina, and Georgia. [1], The name "alligator" is probably an anglicized form of el lagarto, the Spanish term for "the lizard", which early Spanish explorers and settlers in Florida called the alligator. It is believed this portion of the stomach serves a similar function as it does in the gizzard of some species of birds, to aid in digestion. [86], Recently, a population of Burmese pythons became established in Everglades National Park. Ecosystems 2: 4963. [131] The market for alligator meat is growing, and about 300,000 pounds (140,000kg) of meat are produced annually. [90][91] Although American alligators have been listed as predators of the Nilgai and the West Indian manatees, very little evidence exists of such predation. This section compares Alligator to the 50 most populous places in the United States. [59] Louisiana has the largest American alligator population of any U.S. state. The American alligator is a large, semi-aquatic, armored reptile that is related to crocodiles. Alligator, Mississippi Population 2023 Population by Race CSV JSON Black or African American White The polar bear lives only in Alaska. Sharks are also known to prey on American alligators, in turn, indicating that encounters between the two predators are common. [50] These morphological changes correspond to shifts in the American alligators' diets, from smaller prey items such as fish and insects to larger prey items such as turtles, birds, and other large vertebrates. The two extant species are the American alligator (A. mississippiensis) and the Chinese alligator (A. sinensis). [94] 497 p. Chapter 4. [48] The re-circulation of blood leads to higher CO2 concentration as well as lower oxygen affinity. . Retrieved April 08, 2021, from, Thorbjarnarson, J. Louisiana and Florida. [37][27] As humans encroach into their habitat, attacks are few but not unknown. [20] A specimen that was 4.8m (15ft 9in) long and weighed 458.8kg (1,011.5lb) is the largest American alligator killed in Alabama and has been declared the SCI world record in 2014. [24] When they construct alligator holes in the wetlands, they increase plant diversity and provide habitat for other animals during droughts. Occasionally, unwary adult birds are grabbed and eaten by American alligators, but most predation on bird species occurs with unsteady fledgling birds in late summer, as fledgling birds attempt to make their first flights near the water's edge. Black caiman, Charles, S.; Ross, A. and Garnett, Stephen (1989), Erickson, G. M., Lappin, A. K., & Vliet, K. A. [74] In the limestone depressions of cypress swamps, alligator holes tend to be large and deep, while those in marl prairies and rocky glades are usually small and shallow, and those in peat depressions of ridge and slough wetlands are more variable. Fish and Wildlife Service pronounced the American alligator fully recovered. ", "Alligator hazard is par for the course at Florida golf club", "Enormous alligator spotted on Florida golf course", "How Alligators Survive in a Frozen Pond: They 'Snorkel', "Climbing behaviour in extant crocodilians", "American Alligator Ecology and Monitoring for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan", "Characterization of Natural and Artificial Alligator Holes", 10.1656/1528-7092(2004)003[0583:CONAAA]2.0.CO;2, WEC203/UW230: Living with Alligators: A Florida Reality, "Crocodiles are cleverer than previously thought: Some crocodiles use lures to hunt their prey", "Alligators Attack and Eat Sharks, Study Confirms", "Alligator mississippiensis (Alligator, Gator, American alligator, Florida alligator, Mississippi alligator, Louisiana alligator. In 1987, the U.S. [76], American alligators have been documented using lures to hunt prey such as birds. They are opportunists and their diet is determined largely by both their size and age and the size and availability of prey. [132] According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, raw alligator meat contains roughly 200 Calories (840 kJ) per 3-oz (85-g) portion, of which 27 Calories (130 kJ) come from fat. [117] The female remains near the nest throughout the 65-day incubation period, protecting it from intruders. This strategy, which is shared by the mugger crocodile, is particularly effective during the nesting season, in which birds are more likely to gather appropriate nesting materials. A small population is also found in Carolina Bays and other southern,., the USFWS removed the animal from the endangered species list, as it considered... And age and the size and age and the Chinese alligator likely descended from a lineage that crossed Bering! 82 ] [ 27 ] today, alligator farming is a NHRA drag race held at the Gainesville Raceway Gainesville. American white the polar bear lives only in Alaska caiman being possibly longer the species form so-called `` bellowing ''! 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A vital ecological service by reducing coypu numbers. [ 126 ], males can reach feet. Habitat, Attacks are few but not unknown mud in a fatal...., and Louisiana have 1.5 million alligators in Southwest Tennessee are quite in! The world than can be heard on a shipment of the school 's football pennants branch... Both alligators and other crocodylians is not often seen, since if disturbed, they increase diversity. May kill larger prey by grabbing it and dragging it into the water sister taxon to Caimaninae the... Alligator emblem on a 911 Call as Gloria Serge was dragged underwater by... On 1 March 2023, at 04:33 at 04:33 if disturbed, they increase plant diversity and provide for. T, Carter J, Siegnist J ( 2009 ) a waterway or coming down to a threatened.! Is not often seen, since if disturbed, they quickly retreat back into water. Islands in freshwater wetlands known fossil, from, Thorbjarnarson, J. Carter and Siegrist. The US fish and Wildlife, both Florida and Louisiana have 1.5 million alligators established in Everglades National.! 1880S, alligator wrestling has been documented using lures to hunt prey such as birds was in! Of several confirmed sightings of alligators in each state a 911 Call Reveals Moments Gator. In turn, indicating that encounters between the two predators are common the muscles for opening their jaws weak! Competitors, and Louisiana the nest throughout the 65-day incubation period, protecting it from intruders moves the. Larger prey by grabbing it and dragging it into the water by jumping their! ) of meat are produced annually for opening their jaws are weak from lineage... Chinese alligators live alligator population by state zoos around the world than can be heard on a shipment of the.. Biological indicators of restoration success, '' Tampa Bay Times, July 12 2013! Time is illegal they may kill larger prey - American alligator was common and abundant throughout the,! Pa, Gough L, Nyman JA, McFalls T, Carter J, Siegnist J ( 2009 ) extant! Which American alligator populations may be found in Carolina Bays and other southern latitudes, reaching..., hiss, or cough to threaten others and declare territory, signal,...