Facts about Alligators

Interesting Facts about Alligators

Facts about Alligators
Unusual and interesting information and trivia about animals from our collection of interesting facts about Alligators. Perfect for fast homework help that is suitable for kids, children and adults.
 

Did you Know? List of Facts about Alligators
Facts are statements which are held to be true and often contrasted with opinions and beliefs. Our unusual and interesting facts about Alligators, trivia and information, including some useful statistics about animals will fascinate everyone from kids and children to adults. Interesting Facts about Alligators are as follows:

• Fact 1 - Definition: A large carnivorous reptile of the Crocodile family, peculiar to America and China. Besides the common species of the southern United States, there is another called the Chinese alligator found only in the Yangtze River valley. An Alligator is a crocodilian in the genus Alligator of the family Alligatoridae
• Fact 2 - What's the difference between crocodiles and alligators?
  • The jaw shape: Alligators have a wide "U"-shaped, rounded snout, like a shovel, whereas crocodiles tend to have longer and more pointed "V"-shaped noses
  • The Teeth: In alligators, the upper jaw is wider than the lower jaw and completely overlaps it, therefore, the teeth in the lower jaw are almost completely hidden when the mouth closes
  • Salt glands: Crocodiles have salt glands on their tongue which help to excrete salt. Crocodiles more tolerant to life in saline water, including sea water in some species
  • Crocodiles are more aggressive than alligators (depending on the species)
  • Alligators, unlike the large crocodiles, do not immediately regard a human as prey, but may still attack in self defence if provoked.
  • Crocodiles are bigger than alligators (depending on the species)
• Fact 3 - The name alligator is derived from the Spanish 'el lagarto' meaning "lizard"
• Fact 4 - Alligators date back 200 million years
• Fact 5 - The largest alligator ever recorded in the Everglades National Park in Florida was 17 feet 5 inches (5.31 m)
• Fact 6 - The average lifespan for alligators is 50 years

• Fact 7 - The majority of American alligators inhabit Florida and Louisiana, with over a million alligators in each state
• Fact 8 - A reptile is defined as any cold-blooded vertebrate of the class Reptilia including the tortoise, turtles, snakes, lizards, alligators, crocodiles and other extinct forms
• Fact 9 - The alligator eats fish, birds, mammals and sometimes smaller crocs
• Fact 10 - Alligators' have the ability to survive without eating for 2 - 3 years
• Fact 11 - An alligator is protective and caring of its young
• Fact 12 - The Chinese alligator, known locally as Tu Long, or "muddy dragon," and just half the size of American alligators are nearly extinct
• Fact 13 - The Chinese alligator is classified as a Critically Endangered Species - EN (Status: Threatened) - Face an extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future.
• Fact 14 - Alligators live in freshwater swamps, marshes, rivers, lakes and smaller bodies of water
• Fact 15 - Alligators eat fish, turtles, frogs, birds, carrion and small mammals
• Fact 16 - An alligator is capable of short bursts of speed, a lunge, that can exceed 30 miles per hour
• Fact 17 - The muscle in an alligator's jaw is intended for biting and gripping prey
  • The muscles that close the jaws are exceptionally powerful
  • The muscles for opening their jaws are relatively weak. As a result, an adult human can hold an alligator's jaw shut with his bare hands
• Fact 18 - The eyes of a large alligator will glow red and those of a smaller one will glow green when a light is shined on them
• Fact 19 - The collective name for a group is a congregation or pod
• Fact 20 - Males are called Bulls
• Fact 21 - Females are called Cows
• Fact 22 - The names given to babies are Hatchling

Facts about Alligators
We have included a selection of trivia and interesting facts about Alligators which we hope will be of help with homework. Most of these interesting facts about Alligators are quite amazing and some are little known pieces of trivia and facts! Many of these interesting pieces of animal information and fun facts about Alligators and info will help you increase your knowledge on the subject of animals and Alligators.

Animal Information, Stats and Interesting Facts about Alligators

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Animal Information and Interesting Facts about Alligators