American Alligator
Alligator mississippiensis
Considered dangerous to humans. Average adult size is 11 feet long and 330 lbs. Tail accounts for half of overall body length. Adult coloration is solid olive-black with…
How to identify
Considered dangerous to humans. Average adult size is 11 feet long and 330 lbs. Tail accounts for half of overall body length. Adult coloration is solid olive-black with no patterning. Short, thick limbs. Rounded snout, upper jaw larger than lower with no visible teeth when mouth is closed.
Range
Primarily found in eastern United States. Native range extends north to North Carolina and south to Florida, west to Texas and east to the Atlantic Ocean.
Habitat
Primarily aquatic. Most commonly found in freshwater environments such as marshes, swamps, ponds, lagoons, and rivers. Occasionally found in man-made water sources such as pools, fishing ponds, and dammed lakes. Occasionally found in brackish waters near the ocean.
Variations
Juveniles: Coloration is black with yellow cross bands. Males: Significantly larger than females in overall length and weight.
Similar species
Name and etymology
Genus
Alligator
From Spanish for the lizard (el lagarto).
Origin
Sources
- Cuvier, 1807. Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, Vol. 10, p. 25
Alligator. Cuvier, 1807 - Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, Vol. 10, p. 25
Species epithet
mississippiensis
Belonging to Mississippi.
Origin
Sources
- (Daudin, 1803). Daudin, Hist. Nat. Reptl., Vol. 2., 1803, p. 412 ↗
Alligator mississippiensis. (Daudin, 1803) - Daudin, Hist. Nat. Reptl., Vol. 2., 1803, p. 412
Explore more names in the etymology index.
At a glance
Size
257 to 437 cm
Range
Primarily found in eastern United States. Native range extends north to North Carolina and south to Florida, west to Texas an…
Habitat
Primarily aquatic. Most commonly found in freshwater environments such as marshes, swamps, ponds, lagoons, and rivers. Occasi…
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap