THE STEINHART AQUARIUM - Gulf of Guinea Science ...

Small prey is swallowed whole. Large prey is
crushed by the sharp teeth, then slapped against
water or shore to break off manageable pieces.
Very large prey will be rolled underwater until
the victim drowns, then guarded until the meat
rots enough to be ripped apart and swallowed.
The stomachs of alligators often contain
gastroliths, which grind up food in the stomach
and help with digestion.
All crocs store fat in their tails, so they can go
for long periods without eating if necessary—
as long as two years for some big adults!
Reproduction and Development: Both males
and females reach sexual maturity at about
10–12 years of age. Breeding takes place
during the night, in shallow waters. Males
roar to attract females and to ward off other
males. Courtship starts in April, with mating
occurring in early May.
After mating, the female builds a nest of
vegetation. The nest measures about 2 m–3 m
in diameter and about 0.5 m to 1 m in height.
In late June or early July, the female lays 35–50
eggs. The eggs are then buried within the nest
for a 65-day incubation period. The sex of the
juveniles is determined by the temperature of
the nest: above 34° C all are male, below 30°
C all are female, and temperatures in between
result in both sexes.
Toward the end of August, the young alligators
make high-pitched noises from inside the egg.
The mother then removes the nesting material.
Upon hatching the alligator measures about
15 cm–20 cm. Newly hatched alligators live
in small groups. Birds and raccoons eat 80%.
Other predators include bobcats, otters, snakes,
large bass, and larger alligators. Females
aggressively defend their young during the
first year (occasionally for 2 or even 3 years).
This maternal care is unusual among reptiles.
Mortality/Longevity: After it is 1.25 m long, an
alligator is safe from predators except humans
and occasionally other, larger alligators.
American alligators may live about 50 years
in the wild.
Conservation Status: Although once on the
verge of extinction, it is no longer endangered
except in scattered parts of its range. A combined
effort by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state
wildlife agencies, and commercial alligator
farms saved these unique animals. However,
California Academy of Sciences
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the American alligator is still listed as threatened
on the U.S. Endangered Species List because
it looks like the American crocodile, which is
endangered, and hunters are likely to confuse
the two species. Hunting is allowed in some
states, but it is strictly controlled. The greatest
current threat is habitat destruction; this includes
water management systems and pollution.
Remarks: Spanish sailors thought this animal
was a huge lizard. In Spanish, “el lagarto”
means “the lizard.” English sailors took the
name as “allagarter” and in time it became
‘”alligator.”
Despite shared habitats, alligator attacks on
humans are fairly rare. There were only nine
fatal attacks throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s,
although alligators killed 11 people from 2001
to 2006. Most alligators fear humans; attacks
often result from feeding. Once an alligator is
fed by a human, it expects food whenever it
sees someone.
Differences between alligators and crocodiles:
• Alligators tend to have wide, U-shaped,
rounded snouts, while crocodiles tend
to have longer, more pointed, V-shaped
snouts.
• The large lower fourth tooth of an
alligator fits into a socket in the upper jaw
and is not seen when the mouth is closed,
whereas in crocodiles this tooth is visible.
• Alligators live in freshwater; crocodiles
tend to inhabit salt water.
• On average alligators are smaller than
crocodiles.
Claude is a male, 15 years old, 2.5 m (8.5 ft)
long, and weighs ~82 kg, (181 lbs); born in
captivity in Florida. (2010)
Claude is a true albino, meaning that he is
unable to produce melanin in his skin or eyes.
In fact, the pinkness/redness of his eyes is
due our ability to see the blood/blood vessels
through his irises.
Albinism is a naturally occurring (recessive)
genetic condition and is found in many kinds
of animals, ncluding rats, birds, humans,
tigers, etc.
Like all albino animals, Claude has reduced
vision and is vulnerable to UV rays from the
sun. Because of these issues, and the fact that
albinos are easily seen and eaten by predators,
they rarely survive in the wild.