Overview

The American alligator is a survivor from the age of dinosaurs, unchanged in essentials for over 80 million years. Adults can exceed four metres and weigh over 450 kilograms, yet they are wary of humans and essential to wetland ecology — their wallows create habitat for other species.

In spring, bull alligators bellow to attract mates — a deep rumble that makes water 'dance' on their backs. Females build mound nests of vegetation, and temperature determines whether eggs hatch male or female.

Habitat

Freshwater swamps, marshes, rivers, and lakes across the southeastern United States hold alligators. Louisiana and Florida have the largest populations, with gators common in the Everglades, bayous, and golf course ponds throughout the South.

Countries found

Alligator in United States

Interesting facts

01
Alligators have been on Earth for over 80 million years — outliving dinosaurs.
02
Their bite force is one of the strongest measured in any living animal.
03
Alligators were once endangered in the US but have recovered fully.

Conservation status

LC — Least Concern

American alligators are Least Concern after a remarkable recovery from near extinction in the 1960s. Protected status and farming programmes transformed them into a conservation success story.