Where do Alligators Live
Alligators are large reptiles that are related to the crocodile. They share many of the same features, characteristics and behavior, which sometimes causes confusion regarding their identification. There are two species of alligators: the American alligator and the Chinese alligator. The American alligator is the largest of the two and can reach 4 m (13ft) long and weigh up to 360 kg (800 lbs). The Chinese alligator is much smaller and doesn’t usually grow past 2 m (6.5 ft) in length. Like some species of crocodiles, alligators are often considered to be a danger to humans. However, alligators are far less aggressive than the big crocodile species and any attacks on humans are usually due to mistaken identity in cloudy water. Let’s find out where alligators live.
Where do alligators live?
The American alligator lives in the southeastern United States, which includes parts of Georgia, South and North Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi, along with all of Florida and Louisiana. The most common habitat for this species is freshwater environments, such as swamps, rivers, lakes, wetlands and marshes. However, they can also be found in brackish water. This species is also important for farming and can be used for producing leather, meat and other goods. The following is a map of the range of the American alligator.
The Chinese alligator is only found in the Yangtze River in China. It was once found throughout much of the country, but only small pockets of this species are left in the wild. In fact, there are thought to be less than 500 of these alligators in the wild. It is for this reason that the Chinese Alligator is listed as critically endangered and is in danger of extinction. Fortunately, there are more than 10,000 Chinese alligators in captivity and this is an important part of ensuring the survival of this species. The following is a map of the distribution of the Chinese alligator.
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