American Alligator

Alligator mississippiensis

NATURAL HABITAT
The American alligator lives in swamps, lakes, marshes and slow-moving rivers. They usually live in freshwater but can live in salt water for a short time.

DIET
IN THE WILD – Opportunistic eaters, carnivorous
IN THE ZOO – Rodents

FASCINATING FACTS

• Their strong bites can break turtle shells
• Can live up to 50 years in the wild
• Only 20 percent of newly hatched wild
  alligators survive until adulthood
• Nest temperature affects whether an
  egg hatches a male or female