AMERICAN ALLIGATOR: Maternal Protection

ALLIGATORIDAE

            Placed in a separate group from true Crocodiles, Alligators and Caimans do not tolerate salt water.  They prefer to live in freshwater.  Unlike Crocodiles, Alligatoridae eat leaves and fruit as well as fish and meat.  Caimans do not have a bony septum between their nostrils like Alligators.  They also have longer and sharper teeth.

AMERICAN ALLIGATOR:  Maternal Protection

Greatly feared because of Her size and teeth, American Alligator is a shy animal. She prefers to live in her “gator hole” or mucking around the swamp. The chance of being killed by an Alligator is less than being struck by lightening.   When encountering

a nearby human, She usually will walk or swim away.

American Alligator is a keystone species. She creates “alligator holes”--mud hollows in swampy areas. This provides other animals with water, food, and homes. Moreover, Alligator is the largest predator in her area, controlling overpopulation of Deer and other animals. Even Her abandoned nest is used by other animals.

When American Alligator young are being threatened, Mother American Alligator will attack the intruder. People who are familiar with swamps will warn: never come between a Mother ‘Gator’ and her nest. When Baby American Alligator is threatened, He gives a high-pitched croak. Mother Alligator will immediately appear and save Her baby.

Learn the meaning of Motherhood from the American Alligator. She has much to teach in the raising and protecting of children. Mother American Alligator protects her Young while they are incubating in their nest and later when they are growing.

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Science Notes:

1.       The difference between Alligator and Crocodile is the snout and the jaw. Alligators have broad snouts, and their teeth in their upper jaw overlap their lower jaw’s teeth. 

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