American Alligator
Scientific Name
Alligator mississippiensis
Range
From Texas to Florida, up to North Carolina
Habitats
Marshes, swamps, wetlands, fresh bodies of water
What do they eat?
Birds, turtles, insects
Status
Least Concern
Conservation Threats
The alligator population is stable at more than a million individuals in Florida. USFWS monitors the trafficking of alligators in the pet trade, and also regulates hunting practices that take place through a lottery system. Alligators were almost hunted to extinction in the 1960’s. Alligators were protected under the Endangered Species Act in 1973, and through conservation efforts, were removed from the list in 1987.
Fun Facts
- Naples Zoo has 13 alligators in our Alligator Bay.
- They are the official state reptile of Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
- Females on average are 6-8 feet long, and males average 10-12 feet.