American Aligator - Lacoste
HABITAT
They live in rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, and marshes in North America - you're most likely to find them in Florida and Louisiana.
LIFESPAN
In the wild, American Aligators live between 30 and 50 years. In captivity they can live to over 70 years!
SIZE
Males measure between 3.4 and 4.8M in length, weighing up to 560kg. Females are smaller, between 2.6 and 3M.
DIET
American Aligators are carnivores and eat a range of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
Babies are known as hatchlings, and hatch from eggs using their 'egg-tooth'. They are only 15-20cm long!
Aligators can run up to 35mph - much faster than human beings. In the water they can lunge at 30mph!
Aligators have around 75 teeth. As they wear away they grow again, and can get through 3,000 teeth during their lives!
Aligators can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes, or in cold water for hours.