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American Alligator American alligator Alligator mississippiensis (Photo by FWC) Taxonomic Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Crocodila Family: Alligatoridae Genus/Species: Alligator mississippiensis Common Name: American alligator Listing Status Federal Status: Threatened (Similarity of Appearance to the American Crocodile) FL Status: Federally-designated Threatened (Similarity of Appearance) FNAI Ranks: G5/S4 (Globally: Demonstrably Secure/State: Apparently Secure). IUCN Status: LC (Least Concern) Physical Description The American alligator is a black reptile that can reach lengths of 13-14.7 feet (4-4.5 meters) and a weight in excess of 1,000 lbs (454 kilograms) (Florida Museum of Natural History, n.d.). A special feature of the alligator is its nostrils. The nostrils are upward facing on the long snout, which allows the alligator to breathe when its body is submerged (Smithsonian National Zoological Park, n.d.). Also, armored plates (scutes) cover the body. Alligators have a vertically flattened tail, and a light yellow throat and belly. Alligators are ectothermic (body temperature is externally regulated) and are generally active when external temperatures are 82-92°F (28-33°C). American Alligator 1 | Page They stop feeding when the external temperature drops to 70°F (21°C), and they will go dormant (inactive) at (55°F) 13°C. While in a dormant stage, they can be found in burrows. Life History Adult alligators are opportunistic feeders (they feed on what is available). Adults feed on small mammals, birds, fish, turtles, and snakes; juveniles feed on small fish, insects, and amphibians. In the Everglades, alligators primarily feed on apple snails (P. Moler pers. comm. 2011). Male alligators begin courting in early April and breeding occurs in May or June. The female builds the nest, which consists of debris, soil, and vegetation. The average clutch size is 32-46 eggs, which are laid in late June and early July. The eggs incubate for 60-65 days and hatch in late August or early September. Females reach maturity at 10-15 years old, whereas males mature at 8-12 years old. Habitat & Distribution The American alligator inhabits freshwater lakes, slow moving rivers, and brackish water habitats in Florida. The alligator can be found from southeast Oklahoma and east Texas, east to North Carolina, and down Florida (Florida distribution map data from: Krysko et al. 2011). Threats The main threat facing the American alligator is the destruction and degradation of its wetland habitat. Destruction of wetlands usually occurs in conjunction with human development. With increased development in their habitat, more alligators are removed at the request of the new property owners; these alligators are usually harvested when removed (University of Georgia, n.d.). Alligators are also vulnerable to increased predation. Alligator eggs face predation from raccoons, bears, and otters, and juveniles also face danger from wading birds and bigger alligators. Conservation & Management The American alligator is Federally protected by the Endangered Species Act as a Threatened species, due to their similarity of appearance to the American crocodile, and as a Federally- designated Threatened species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule. Other Informative Links American Alligator 2 | Page Florida Museum of Natural History FWC Species Profile FWC Hunting Information FWC Nuisance Alligator Program International Union for Conservation of Nature National Geographic Smithsonian National Zoological Park University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service References Florida Museum of Natural History. (n.d.). Alligator mississippiensis (Daudin, 1801). Retrieved May 10, 2011, from: http://crocodilian.com/cnhc/csp_amis.htm Krysko, K., K. Enge, and P. Moler. 2011. Alligator mississippiensis (Daudin 1801) American alligator. Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles in Florida. Smithsonian National Zoological Park. (n.d.). American Alligator. Retrieved 10 May , 2011, from Smithsonian National Zoological Park Friends of the National Zoo: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Americanalligato r.cfm University of Georgia . (n.d.). American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). Retrieved May 10, 2011, from Savannah River Ecology Laboratory: http://www.uga.edu/srelherp/alligators/allmis.htm American Alligator 3 | Page This page blank American crocodile Crocodylus acutus (Photo by FWC) Taxonomic Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Crocodilia Family: Crocodylidae Genus/Species: Crocodylus acutus Common Name: American crocodile Listing Status Federal Status: Threatened FL Status: Federally-designated Threatened FNAI Ranks: G2/S1 (Globally: Imperiled/State: Critically Imperiled) IUCN Status: VU (Vulnerable) Physical Description The American crocodile is a grayish-brown crocodilian that can reach lengths of up to 15 feet (4.6 meters). A dark crossband or spots can be found on the back, legs, and tail. The crocodile also has a white belly, tapered snout, and the fourth tooth on the lower jaw (mandible) can be seen when the snout is closed (Florida Natural Areas Inventory 2001). American Crocodile 1 | Page Life History The diet of the American crocodiles primarily consists of small mammals, birds, frogs, turtles, and fish (Fishman et al. 2009). Male crocodiles begin courting females in late January and early February. Crocodiles are ectothermic and therefore control their body temperature by basking in the sun, or moving to areas with warmer or cooler air or water temperatures. Courting rituals can be extensive, often lasting for days. Males initiate courting by quickly and consecutively performing head slaps, and the female will raise her snout and arch her tail if she is interested. The last courting ritual involves the male and female rubbing snouts and submerging under water. Nesting occurs in late April and early May. The soil nests are built on land and above high tide marks. Females will lay 20 to 60 eggs that incubate for about 85 days. When the incubation period is complete, females will dig the nest up and carry the young to water (Mazzotti, n.d.). Habitat & Distribution The American crocodile inhabits brackish or saltwater areas and can be found in ponds, coves, and creeks in mangrove swamps. American crocodiles occur in South Florida and also can be found in Hispaniola, Cuba, Jamaica, along the Caribbean coast from southern Mexico to Venezuela, and along the Pacific coast from Mexico to Peru. The northern end of the crocodile’s range is in South Florida. Occasionally, crocodiles are encountered inland in freshwater areas along the southern Florida coast (Distribution map data from: Krysko et al. 2011). Threats Historically crocodiles were hunted extensively as their hides were worth a considerable amount of money between 1930 and 1960. This caused considerable damage to their population rates. Presently, illegal hunting and habitat destruction are the main threats to the crocodile population (Florida Museum of Natural History, n.d.). Habitat destruction occurs in different ways, but the main threat has been humans developing in crocodile habitat. It is illegal to hunt crocodiles in the U.S.; however, some hunting still occurs illegally. Hunting also occurs in other countries in the crocodile’s range, as most countries have hard times enforcing conservation laws, or have no conservation laws to protect the crocodile and its habitat. Hydrological alterations in their habitats can cause damage to their eggs as they cannot withstand conditions that are too dry or too wet (Florida Museum of Natural History, n.d.). Crocodile nests also face threats of predation from raccoons, birds, and crabs (Mazzotti, n.d). Other threats include vehicle strikes, disease, and mortality and habitat damage from hurricanes (Florida Natural Areas Inventory 2001). American Crocodile 2 | Page Conservation & Management The American crocodile is protected as a Threatened species by the Federal Endangered Species Act and as a Federally-designated Threatened species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule. -Federal Recovery Plan Other Informative Links Animal Diversity Web Florida Museum of Natural History Florida Natural Areas Inventory FWC - American Crocodile brochure FWC - A Guide to Living with Crocodiles International Union for Conservation of Nature National Geographic University of Florida IFAS Extension U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Species Profile Western Connecticut State University References Fishman, J., K. MacKinnon and S. Baker. 2009. "Crocodylus acutus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed June 01, 2011 http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Crocodylus_acutus.ht ml. Florida Museum of Natural History. (n.d.). American Crocodile. Retrieved May 20, 2011, from Herpetology: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/cnhc/csp_cacu.htm. Florida Natural Areas Inventory. 2001. Field guide to the rare animals of Florida. http://www.fnai.org/FieldGuide/pdf/Crocodylus_acutus.PDF. Krysko, K., K. Enge, and P. Moler. 2011. Crocodylus acutus (Cuvier 1807) American crocodile. Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles in Florida. Mazzotti, F. J. (n.d.). American Crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) in Florida. Retrieved May 20, 2011, from Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences: http://myfwc.com/media/664081/AmericanCrocodilesinFL.pdf. American Crocodile 3 | Page This page blank Cape Sable seaside sparrow Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis (Photo by FWC)
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