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ALLIGATORS. Biggest reptile in the USA. By: RLM. INTRODUCTION. Its scientific name is Alligator mississippiensus Biggest reptile in USA Lives in southern USA. PHYSICAL FEATURES. 15 to 25 feet long Long, sharp teeth Green, scary eyes Green, black or brown scales Big nostrils
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ALLIGATORS Biggest reptile in the USA By: RLM
INTRODUCTION • Its scientific name is Alligator mississippiensus • Biggest reptile in USA • Lives in southern USA
PHYSICAL FEATURES • 15 to 25 feet long • Long, sharp teeth • Green, scary eyes • Green, black or brown scales • Big nostrils • Weigh up to 1,000 pounds, but usually 500 pounds • Strong jaws • Long tail • Four short, stubby legs—two on each side of body
Habitat • Alligators live in China and southern USA • Swampy areas • They live in swampy areas because they can cool down
Climates • Comes out of the water in sunny weather • Hibernates underwater during the winter
lifespan • Alligators can live up to 40 years in the wild • Alligators can live up to 85 years in captivity
What they eat and who eats them! Prey: (what animals eat them): • Humans—even though it is illegal Predator: (what animals they eat): • Warthog • Fish • Frogs • Birds • Crabs • turtles
BEHAVIOr • Makes noise to attract mate • Puts young in mouth to protect • Puts body over nest to keep eggs warm
BABIES • Alligators have 10-60 babies a time • It takes 50-115 days to hatch
BEHAVIORAL ADAPTATIONS • Puts babies in mouth to protect • Puts body around nest to keep eggs warm • Bellows to attract a mate
PHYSICAL ADAPTATIONS • Alligators have green-black skin to look like a log • See through eyelids to see underwater • big snout to crush prey • A protective armor plated skin
PHYSIOLOGICAL ADAPTATIONS • Powerful jaws to crush bone • Haves a flap in mouth to keep out water • Has to get in water to cool or else it dies
FUN FACTS • The longest was 21ft long • The heaviest alligator was 1,000 lbs • 1 airplane crash per year is caused by an alligator • Alligators are in the crocidillian family