Post: Quick Alligator Facts
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09-22-2010, 12:53 AM
#1
Inferno_Ace
Hi
Just some facts.
Myth: Alligators live for hundreds of years.
Fact: Alligators in the wild are believed to live 35 - 50 years. In captivity their lifespan may be significantly longer, perhaps 60-80 years. Currently, there are no scientific methods of analyzing an alligators age while it is alive.
Myth: Alligators can grow to enormous proportions, over 20 feet in length and weighing a ton or more.
Fact: The longest recorded length for an alligator is 19' 2'. This animal was trapped in the early 1900's in the State of Louisiana. Most wild alligators do not get above 13 feet in length, and may weigh 600 pounds or more.
Myth: Crocodiles and alligators open their jaws differently. The jaws of the crocodile are hinged to open the top jaw, while alligators open their bottom.
Fact: Alligators and crocodiles jaws are hinged the same. Both animals hinge their jaws on the bottom, the top jaw is simply an extension of the skull.
Myth: Alligators are immune to the bite of poisonous snakes.
Fact: Alligators are not immune to snake poison. However, they do have extremely tough skin, and an armored back protected by bony plates called scutes. It is possible that this protection may prevent a
snake's fangs from penetrating the skin.
Myth: Only the tail of the alligator is edible.
Fact: Although the tail of the alligator is considered the prime cut, all the meat of the alligator is edible.
Myth: Alligators are slow moving animals when they are out of the water.
Fact: Alligators can run at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. However that speed can only be maintained for a very short distance.
Zoo Diet
At the Zoo, the American alligator is fed rats and occasionally chickens and rabbits.
Wild Diet
Crocodilians are carnivorous. They have very strong jaws that can crack a turtle shell. They eat fish, snails and other invertebrates, birds, frogs, and mammals that come to the water's edge. They use their sharp teeth to seize and hold prey. Small prey is swallowed whole. If the prey is large, crocodilians shake it apart into smaller, manageable pieces. If it is very large, crocodilians bite it, then spin on the long axis of their bodies to tear off easily swallowed pieces.
Myth: Alligators live for hundreds of years.
Fact: Alligators in the wild are believed to live 35 - 50 years. In captivity their lifespan may be significantly longer, perhaps 60-80 years. Currently, there are no scientific methods of analyzing an alligators age while it is alive.
Myth: Alligators can grow to enormous proportions, over 20 feet in length and weighing a ton or more.
Fact: The longest recorded length for an alligator is 19' 2'. This animal was trapped in the early 1900's in the State of Louisiana. Most wild alligators do not get above 13 feet in length, and may weigh 600 pounds or more.
Myth: Crocodiles and alligators open their jaws differently. The jaws of the crocodile are hinged to open the top jaw, while alligators open their bottom.
Fact: Alligators and crocodiles jaws are hinged the same. Both animals hinge their jaws on the bottom, the top jaw is simply an extension of the skull.
Myth: Alligators are immune to the bite of poisonous snakes.
Fact: Alligators are not immune to snake poison. However, they do have extremely tough skin, and an armored back protected by bony plates called scutes. It is possible that this protection may prevent a
snake's fangs from penetrating the skin.
Myth: Only the tail of the alligator is edible.
Fact: Although the tail of the alligator is considered the prime cut, all the meat of the alligator is edible.
Myth: Alligators are slow moving animals when they are out of the water.
Fact: Alligators can run at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. However that speed can only be maintained for a very short distance.
Zoo Diet
At the Zoo, the American alligator is fed rats and occasionally chickens and rabbits.
Wild Diet
Crocodilians are carnivorous. They have very strong jaws that can crack a turtle shell. They eat fish, snails and other invertebrates, birds, frogs, and mammals that come to the water's edge. They use their sharp teeth to seize and hold prey. Small prey is swallowed whole. If the prey is large, crocodilians shake it apart into smaller, manageable pieces. If it is very large, crocodilians bite it, then spin on the long axis of their bodies to tear off easily swallowed pieces.
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The following user thanked Inferno_Ace for this useful post:
09-22-2010, 01:03 AM
#4
Inferno_Ace
Hi
Originally posted by CodFatherxx
but either way,they can both kill us lol but intersting.
*why can't i thank your posts?*
*why can't i thank your posts?*
Thanks, and idk maybe try later?
Originally posted by pkerjosh
Haha thats alot of facts. i dont think i will remember any of them tho hehe:dance:
lol how about remembering one fact and one myth?
09-22-2010, 01:08 AM
#6
Inferno_Ace
Hi
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