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American Alligator

Alligator mississippiensis

Description:

The American alligator has a large, slightly rounded body, with thick limbs, a broad head, and a very powerful tail. Adult Alligators generally have dark grey or nearly black color. They may at times appear to be lighter based on detritus or algae in the water covering their skin. Juvenile alligators have a striped pattern for camouflage that they lose as they mature. Averaging about 9.5 in (24 cm) in length when newly hatched, alligators reach sexual maturity when they measure about 5–7 ft (1.5–2.1 m).[3] Adult male alligators average 11.2 ft (3.4 m) in length, while adult females average 8.2 to 9.8 ft (2.5 to 3.0 m).[4][5][6][7] Average adult body weights are reported from 270 to 800 lb (120 to 360 kg), with a few exceptionally large and old males exceeding 14 ft (4.3 m) and 1,000 pounds (450 kg).[8][9][10]

Habitat:

Swamps, wetlands and streams.

Notes:

This young gator surprised me when he snapped this crayfish next to the trail I was on. I turned and clicked a series of shots...

1 Species ID Suggestions

LealikiKanoa
LealikiKanoa 12 years ago
American Alligator
Alligator mississippiensis


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12 Comments

EricGoins
EricGoins 11 years ago

Great picture. That would be a great addition to the Gulf Coast Wildlife mission. http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/1049...

KarenL
KarenL 12 years ago

Hi Will! Where you know the common name of the species, please could you look up & add the scientific name - it is very easy to do on a Google search. That takes the spotting out of the "unknown" list. We would also appreciate it if you could add a reference link & complete some info in the details field for your spottings.

Apple
Apple 12 years ago

Absolutely fantastic series!

LisaPalmerFleming
LisaPalmerFleming 12 years ago

Awesome. And he's got a pretty satisfied look on his face at the end. Love that you included that last shot!

Jimena
Jimena 12 years ago

Wow! Spectacular nice pictures!

Carolina
Carolina 12 years ago

That is so wonderful, Will!
Can I ask you to upload picture number 6 again? It seems it didn't upload properly, sorry!

Harsha Singh
Harsha Singh 12 years ago

Majestic creature.

CJulen
CJulen 12 years ago

These are amazing captures!! (Poor crayfish)

Isla
Isla 12 years ago

that crayfish cannot be easy to eat... especially as Alligators don't tend to chew.... :)

Chris Carille
Chris Carille 12 years ago

Very cool set of photos!

KarenL
KarenL 12 years ago

Wow, great series!

misako
misako 12 years ago

Awesome series!

WillRountree
Spotted by
WillRountree

Richwood, Texas, USA

Spotted on May 24, 2011
Submitted on Sep 23, 2011

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Reference

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