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Alligator mississippiensis
American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) inhabit the southeastern United States. Once a federally listed endangered species, American alligators have recovered and are common in many areas of the Southeast. The species is still federally listed as threatened because it looks like the American crocodile, which is endangered. Alligators are long-lived animals whose life spans can exceed 60 years. Alligators are “cold-blooded,” meaning that they are ectothermic animals that cannot regulate their own body temperature, but assume the temperatures of their surrounding environment. To warm themselves, alligators bask in the sun, which is when they are frequently observed on the banks of water bodies. On hot summer days they can sometimes be seen basking with their mouths open. This is a cooling mechanism essentially equivalent to a dog panting. Ecologically, alligators are important predators and create important habitat for other wildlife by digging holes that hold water during droughts.
Orlando Wetlands Park
9 Comments
Nice shot. Congrats, James, on your SOTD.
Congratulations! Awesome spotting!
Congrats James! Awesome shot!
You're welcome James! It's a pleasure to have you around.
Wow! Thank you DanielePralong. I am honored.
Congratulations James, your American Alligator is our Spotting of the Day:
"We loved this head shot of an American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), our Spotting of the Day! The upturned nostrils allow the alligator to breathe while the rest of its body is submerged. The alligator's face and jaws are covered with small domes which are highly sensitive to water pressure changes. These allow the alligator to sense the size, movement and location of potential nearby preys.
Read more about these sensor organs in alligators and crocodiles here: https://buff.ly/2G0N0oi "
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Great portrait James!
Beautiful shot.
A very pretty, portrait photo....