american alligator
DESCRIPTION
AMERICAN ALLIGATOR. By: Tristin. Physical Characteristics. The American Alligator can be up to 18 feet long, but females are smaller. It can weigh 450-600 pounds; however females are smaller . The American Alligator’s color can be green, brown, and black. Lifespan. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
AMERICAN ALLIGATOR
By: Tristin
Physical Characteristics
• The American Alligator can be up to 18 feet long, but females are smaller.
• It can weigh 450-600 pounds; however females are smaller .
• The American Alligator’s color can be green, brown, and black.
Lifespan
• The American Alligator can live 35-50 years in the wild.
• They can live 60-80 years in captivity like at a zoo or animal reserve.
Diet
• The American Alligator is a carnivore. That means it eats meat.
• The American Alligator eats fish, turtles, mammals, birds, and other reptiles.
Population
• There is an estimated number of American Alligators in the south eastern United States is several million. That’s not as many as you might think.
Habitat
• The states the American Alligator are found in are Florida, southern Texas, Louisiana, North and South Carolina.
• Their habitats are swamps, rivers, ponds, and wetlands.
ADAPTATIONS
• Teeth : The American Alligator’s teeth help it rip and tear flesh from its prey.
• Tail : The American Alligator’s tail helps it knock its prey off its feet and to swim.
• Muscle : The American Alligator uses its muscle to overpower its prey.
Fun Facts
• Did you know that in 1897 Florida declared the American Alligator their official state reptile?
WHY ARE THEY ENDANGERED
• The American Alligator is endangered because they are dying out due to habitat loss.
• They are endangered also because they were hunted for their leathery skin.