Alligator mississippiensis
The American Alligator is the largest living species of alligator in the world. They modify their environments by creating “gator holes”, using the snout and tail to excavate them. These burrows are used for shelter during the cold winter months during periods of dormancy. These tunnels are often up to 65 feet long and are used by many other animals after they are abandoned by the alligator. This makes them a keystone species.
Scientific Name:
Alligator mississippiensis
Native Range:
Southeastern United States, primarily Florida and Louisiana, but range from the Virginia-North Carolina border, along the Atlantic coast to Florida and along the Gulf of Mexico to the Rio Grande in Texas.
Habitat:
Freshwater swamps, marshes, rivers, lakes; they can tolerate brackish water for a short amount of time.
Convservation Status:
Least Concern
Museum Location:
Mini-Zoo
Lifespan in the Wild:
35-50+ years
Lifespan in Captivity:
65-80 years
Diet:
Primarily fish, turtles, snakes, and small mammals
