Skip to main content

Alligator range in the United States

Alligators, which are sharp-toothed reptiles, are semi-aquatic creatures classified under the order Crocodylia, family Alligatoridae, genus Alligator. The genus Alligator comprises two known living species: the American alligator (Alligator Mississippians) and the Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis). Additionally, there are several extinct species within the Alligatoridae family, including four known extinct species within the genus Alligator: Alligator mefferdi (native to North America, lived during the Pliocene epoch, about 5.3 million to 2.6 million years ago), Alligator olseni (native to Florida, lived during the Pleistocene epoch, about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago), Alligator prenasalis (native to North America, lived during the Eocene epoch, about 56 to 33.9 million years ago), and Alligator mcgrewi (native to modern Nebraska, lived during the Early Miocene, about 23 to 16 million years ago).

Alligators are apex predators known for their long lifespan of up to 50 years in the wild. They have tough, scaly, gray-green skin that aids in their camouflage. With wide snouts, sharp teeth, and powerful jaws, they are formidable hunters.

These creatures are primarily found in swamps, marshes, and wetlands and are adept swimmers. They are cold-blooded and mainly active during the day. Alligators are opportunistic feeders, consuming fish, birds, mammals, other reptiles, and carrion, and they adapt their diet based on food availability.

Adult male alligators typically measure 3.4 to 4.6 meters (11.2 to 15.1 feet) in length and can weigh up to 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds).

According to Vivid Maps, the alligator is predominantly found in the southeastern United States, with Louisiana boasting the largest American alligator population of any U.S. state.

Alligators in the United States Mapped


Alligator populations in the United States


American alligators are considered a threatened species and are closely monitored and regulated in terms of hunting due to their ecological importance.


Key Facts:

  • The American alligator can grow from a modest 77 kilograms (170 pounds) to a hefty 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) and can reach lengths of about 4.6 meters (15.1 feet). These alligators are exclusively found in the United States, particularly in states like Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
  • While Florida is famous for its alligator population, Louisiana is home to an even larger number, estimated at around 1.5 to 2 million individuals.
  • Florida is the only place in the world where both alligators and crocodiles coexist. Both Louisiana and Florida offer abundant marshes, rivers, lakes, and swamps, making them ideal environments for alligators.

For further information on alligators and crocodiles, consider exploring the following books.

Labels:

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Find cities with similar climate

This map has been created using The Global environmental stratification. The Global environmental stratification (GEnS), based on statistical clustering of bioclimate data (WorldClim). GEnS, consists of 125 strata, which have been aggregated into 18 global environmental zones (labeled A to R) based on the dendrogram. Interactive map >> Via www.vividmaps.com Related posts: -  Find cities with similar climate 2050 -  How global warming will impact 6000+ cities around the world?
Read more

Moose population in North America

The moose population in North America is shrinking swiftly. This decrease has been correlated to the opening of roadways and landscapes into this animal's north range.   In North America, the moose range includes almost all of Canada and Alaska, the northern part of New England and New York, the upper Rocky Mountains, northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and Isle Royale.    In 2014-2015, the North American moose population was measured at around one million animals. The most abundant moose population (about 700,000) lives in Canada. About 300 000 moose remains in nineteen U.S. states Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The largest moose specimens are found in Alaska 200 thousand moose. Below the map shows the size of US states scaled by the moose population.     Via www.vividmaps.com
Read more

Human Emotions Visualized

Despite significant diversity in the culture around the globe, humanity's DNA is 99.9 percent alike. There are some characteristics more primary and typical to the human experience than our emotions. Of course, the large spectrum of emotions we can feel can be challenging to verbalize. That's where this splendid visualization by the Junto Institute comes in. This visualization is the newest in an ongoing attempt to categorize the full range of emotions logically. Our knowledge has come a long route since William James suggested 4 primary emotions: fear, grief, love, and rage. These kernel emotions yet form much of the basis for current frameworks. The Junto Institute's visualization above classifies 6 basic emotions: fear, anger, sadness, surprise, joy, love More nuanced descriptions begin from these 6 primary emotions, such as jealousy as a subset of anger and awe-struck as a subset of surprise. As a result, there are 102 second-and third-order emotions placed on this emo
Post a Comment
Read more