About
Animal Facts
Common Name:
American Alligator
Scientific Name:
Alligator mississippiensis
Behavior:
  • May be found in loose groups, but usually ignore each other
  • May stay underwater for hours if not active
  • Tail is used to push them through the water and acts as a rudder
  • Males court females by using sound, touch, and by exposing their necks to them
Diet:
Carnivore
Weight:
400 lb
Length:
10 ft
Life Span:
30 yrs
Gestation Period:
60 days
Number of Young:
30 eggs
Habitats:
  • Aquatic (freshwater)
  • Wetlands
Fun Facts:
  • Females aggressively defend nests.
  • Sex of hatchlings is determined by temperature: Above 93 degrees Fahrenheit results in males, below 86 degrees Fahrenheit produces females, and a mix of sexes if between those temperatures.
  • Gator wallows are used by many animals in their habitat.
  • The 80 teeth of alligators are constantly replaced.
  • Alligators are typically active at night.
  • American alligators were once nearly extinct, but protection efforts pushed their numbers over one million today.
Threats:
  • Habitat Loss
Endangered Status
Endangered Status
  • Extinct in Wild (EW)
  • Critically Endangered (CR)
  • Endangered (EN)
  • Vulnerable (VU)
  • Near Threatened (NT)
  • Least Concern (LC)
  • Not Evaluated (NE)

Natural habitats and proper social groups result in breeding, nest building, and other natural behaviors. Training builds trust between the alligators and keepers. This training allows keepers and veterinarians to observe individuals and even draw blood without restraining the animals.

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Animal Habitats

The North Carolina Zoo is the largest natural animal habitat zoo in the world. Journey along shaded trails to discover more than 1,700 animals in habitats ranging from African grasslands to Arctic tundra. In the North American region, visitors can observe animals such as the Grizzly Bear, the Red Wolf, and the Black Bear in their natural habitats.

Zoo visitors can also observe other exotic species such as lions, giraffes, and elephants in the African region. Additionally, the Zoo also has a walk-through aviary where guests can encounter more than 100 exotic birds. Zoo visitors should stay tuned for future animal experiences in our new Asia region, scheduled to open in a few years.

 

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