Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Crocodilia
Family: Alligatoridae
Genus: Alligator
Species: A. mississippiensis
Binomial name: Alligator mississippiensis
Common names: American Alligator, Gator, Common alligator
Alligator mississippiensis is a large crocodilian reptile endemic to the freshwater wetlands, marshes and swamps in the southeast USA. It is the largest reptile in North America.
There are a few here in New Zealand but they are all safely housed in zoos and aquariums.
Alligator mississippiensis males can grow to >4.6m and can weight up to 450kg. American alligators range from long and slender to short and robust, possibly due to variations in factors such as growth rate, diet, and climate. American alligators have broad snouts, When the jaws are closed, the edges of the upper jaws cover the lower teeth which fit into the jaws' hollows. This species has a bony nasal ridge. The teeth number 74–80. Dorsally, adult American alligators may be olive, brown, grey, or black in colour, while their undersides are cream-coloured.
American Alligators are apex predators and consume fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
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