American Alligators

By: Alexandra Schiavoni

 Table of Contents
Habitat ............................. Page 3
Diet .................................. Page 4
Life Cycle ......................... Page 5
Anatomy & Size ............... Page 6
Habits & Danger............... Page 7
Alligators vs. Crocodiles.. Page 8
Glossary............................ Page 9
More info.......................... Page 10
 Habitat
American alligators live in the southern part of the United States
in states such as Florida and Louisiana. These large reptiles live
near freshwater lakes, rivers, and swamps. They like calm waters
where the temperature is warm and the water is muddy. Swamps
and bayous are perfect habitats for American Alligators.

This water is perfect.

 Warm and muddy, just
the way I like it!
 Food Chain

Delicious
Alligator Diet

When they are young, alligators eat

mostly insects. Adult alligators are
carnivores which means that they eat
meat. They like to feed on fish, turtles,
snakes, and small mammals.
 Life Cycle
Male alligators make a large roar to attract females when they are ready to
mate. Females make a nest once they are pregnant and lay 35-50 eggs. The
temperature of the nest determines if the alligators will be male or female.
In August when the baby alligators are ready to hatch from eggs, they make
a screeching sound. Most American alligators live to be about 50 years old.

Alligator
mating calls
 Scales Strong lungs
Nostrils
Alligator size
Flat Tail
American alligators can grow
to be as long as 10 feet and
weigh as much as 1,000
pounds. Male gators tend to
be larger than females.
Alligator Anatomy
Alligators spend most of the
lives in water. Their flat tails
help them propel through the
water and the nostrils on top of
their snouts help them to
breath air while their bodies are
underwater. They can spend up
to five hours underwater
without breathing!
 Alligator Habits
Mother alligators are very protective of their young. The baby alligators stay
together in “pods” near their mother up until they are three years old.

Weeeee!!!

I may have sharp teeth,

but I like to swallow my
prey whole. 

Are they dangerous?

Alligators can be dangerous if a human gets too close. They do not usually eat
humans are will normally walk away when they see one. Mother alligators are
very protective of their nests and babies and will attack to keep them safe.
 Alligators vs.
Crocodiles
Alligators and crocodiles
may look similar but there
are key differences. One of
biggest differences is the
color of the body. Alligators
have a dark green body
color and crocodiles are
often a tanish color. Also,
crocodiles are usually
showing their teeth and are
known to be very
aggressive.
On the head, the snout of an alligator is U-shaped and
Click here to watch a video!
the snout of a crocodile is V-shaped. Crocodiles are
typically larger and longer than alligators.
 Glossary
Anatomy: The body structure of an animal

Bayou: The swampy part of a lake or river

Carnivore: An animal that eats meat

Mammal: Warm blooded animal that has fur and gives birth

Propel: To push forward in water

Animals with dry scaly skin who lay eggs

Reptile:
 Click these sites to find more information!

Alligators vs. Crocodiles

American Alligators
National Geographic
National Geographic Kids

American Alligator Video

Alligator Fact Video
More Facts
Fun Facts
 Credits
1. Srelherp.uga.edu
2. Nationalgeographic.com
3. Fws.gov
4. Myfwc.com
5. Reptilepark.com.au