Alligator Facts: Ancient Survivors & Ecosystem Engineers

Alligators survived essentially unchanged for 37 million years, outlasting dinosaurs and ice ages. These armored predators possess the most powerful bite force of any living animal at 2,125 pounds per square inch.

Why Alligators Aren't Crocodiles

Alligators have wider, rounded U shaped snouts while crocodiles sport pointed V shaped snouts. When alligators close their mouths, teeth disappear inside. Geographically, alligators exist only in the United States and China whereas crocodiles occupy tropical regions worldwide.

The Death Roll Explained

Alligators employ a devastating hunting technique called the death roll. When catching large prey, they clamp jaws and rapidly spin their entire body, generating over 1,000 pounds of force. They hunt using ambush tactics, remaining motionless in water, then exploding forward at 20 mph when prey approaches.

Mothers Who Crack Eggs Gently

Females build nest mounds three feet high from vegetation. Temperatures between 86 and 93 degrees Fahrenheit produce males while cooler and warmer temperatures produce females. Mothers guard nests for 65 days.

How Gator Holes Save Ecosystems

Alligators dig depressions called gator holes that fill with water. During dry seasons, these provide critical refuges for fish, turtles, and amphibians that would otherwise perish. The concentrated aquatic life feeds wading birds.

From Endangered to 5 Million in 20 Years

By the 1950s, unregulated hunting pushed them toward extinction. In 1967, they received protection. By 1987, just 20 years later, the species was removed from the endangered list.

Why They Survived 37 Million Years

Alligators survived asteroid impacts and ice ages through key adaptations. They survive months without food by lowering metabolism. When water freezes, they enter brumation, positioning nostrils above ice while bodies freeze in place.