![]() ![]() Today, there is a multi-million dollar industry in which alligators are raised for the production of their meat and skin. Dogs and other pets are also sometimes killed.Īlligators are hunted mostly for their skin, but also they are hunted for their meat. In Florida, where there is the greatest alligator population, there have been several reported deaths due to alligator attacks in recent years and human-alligator conflicts are common. Since alligators can become large and will feed on almost anything, they pose a mild threat to humans. The greatest threat is currently destruction of habitat this includes water management systems and increased levels of mercury and dioxins in the water. Hunting is allowed in some states but it is strictly controlled. Because the American crocodile is endangered, the government does not want hunters to confuse the two different types of animals. However, the federal government lists it as threatened because it is very similar in appearance to the American crocodile. It is no longer endangered except in scattered areas of its range. Once on the verge of extinction, the American alligator has made a remarkable recovery due to strict conservation measures and extensive research. Crocodilians are one of the only orders of reptiles that offer maternal care to their young. Females aggressively defend their young during these first few years. ![]() Newly hatched alligators live in small groups, called "pods." Some 80 percent of young alligators fall victim to predators such as birds, raccoons, bobcats, otters, snakes, large bass and larger alligators. When the baby alligator hatches it measures about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters). This lets the mother know that it is time to remove the nesting material. Toward the end of August, the young alligators begin to make high-pitched noises from inside of the egg. Alligator nests are sometimes used by other reptiles for their own egg deposition and incubation. A temperature of 32? C (89.6? F) produces 75 percent males and 32.5? C (90.5? F) and above are mostly females. Temperatures of 31? C (87.8? F) or below produce females. The sex of the juveniles is determined by the temperature of the nest. The eggs are then covered with vegetation and hatch after a 65-day incubation period. Then, around late June and early July, the female lays 35 to 50 eggs. The nest can measure seven to 10 feet (2.1 to 3 meters) in diameter and two to three feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters) high. ![]() Courtship starts in April, with mating usually occurring in early May.Īfter mating has taken place, the female builds a nest of vegetation. Males (bulls) roar to attract females and to ward off other males. Breeding takes place during the night in shallow waters. Both males and females reach sexual maturity when they are about 6 feet (1.8 meters) long, a length attained at about 10 to 12 years. ![]()
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