DESCRIPTION

American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) inhabit the southeastern United States. Once a federally listed endangered species, American alligators have recovered in many areas. The species is still federally listed as threatened because it looks like the American crocodile, which is endangered. The species belongs to the order Crocodylia and the family Alligatoridae.

HABITAT

Although they are primarily freshwater animals, alligators will venture into brackish salt water. Alligators live in swampy areas, rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. On the Savannah River Site, alligators inhabit the Savannah River, its swamp and tributaries, and Par Pond and other reservoirs on the site.

BREEDING

         Alligators are active year around, but they are most active in the warmer months in Georgia and South Carolina. With the start of their breeding season in May, males "bellow" to females and other males in the area. By June, pairs have mated, and females begin building mound nests out of marsh reeds or other vegetation.

        Sometime during late June or early July, females lay between 20 and 60 eggs. The hard-shelled, white eggs are about 3 inches long and resemble goose eggs. The mother defends the nest against predators throughout the incubation period, about 65 days. When the eggs are ready to hatch, the mother alligator digs into the nest mound, opens any eggs that have not hatched and carries the young down to the water. Females sometimes aggressively defend their young for more than a year.