Table of Contents
How does Alligator protect itself?
As a cold-blooded reptile, alligators undergo dormancy when the weather becomes cold. They are known to dig tunnels 65 feet (20 meters) long to protect themselves from extreme heat and cold.
How are people protecting American alligators?
The Nature Conservancy is helping to further protect these incredible reptiles by conserving and restoring the wetland habitats on which alligators depend. For example, TNC’s Adopt an Acre program aims to protect 250,000 acres along the Gulf Coast, including Louisiana’s coastal swamps, an alligator favorite.
Which states do alligators live in?
American alligators occur in Florida, southern Texas, Louisiana and parts of North and South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, with the alligator’s range appearing to inch northward in the last few years.
How are alligators protected in the United States?
Laws & Regulations. Today, the American alligator has fully recovered thanks to careful management and ranching on alligator farms. CITES and the ESA maintain regulations on American alligators to ensure its continued protection while allowing for a sustainable leather trade.
How does the US Fish and Wildlife Service classify an alligator?
The American alligator is classified by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as similarity of appearance to a threatened taxon. This listing provides federal protection for alligators but allows state-approved management and control programs.
What happens to an alligator when it abandons its burrow?
When an alligator abandons a burrow, the hole left behind fills with freshwater and is utilized by other species for breeding and drinking. If alligators are removed from their native ecosystem, it would affect countless other species. As an American alligator’s teeth wear down or fall out, new ones come in.
What makes an alligator different from other alligators?
An alligator is distinguished by its wide, rounded snout and black color. Also, all of its upper teeth can still be seen when its mouth is closed.