American Alligator

American alligators are the largest reptile native to the U.S. Their species dates back 150 million years, to the time of the dinosaurs! Alligators have broad, U-shaped snouts. Their bottom teeth fit neatly into upper jaw sockets, so only an alligator’s top teeth show when their mouth is closed. They live in freshwater habitats and communicate with each other using their voices and bodies.

Females alligators are good mothers! They lay about 30 eggs in a nest on the ground, guarding them for about 2 months until they are ready to hatch. The mother then protects her young from predators for more than a year in their watery home. Alligators can live more to be more than 50 years old!