Named for the Spanish “el lagarto” which means “the lizard,” alligators are a rare success story of an endangered animal saved by caring people from extinction. Today, alligators are thriving thanks to state and federal protections, habitat preservation efforts, and a decline in demand for alligator products. Their numbers have improved, and the species' wild population is more than one million and growing, helped by their impressive lifespan of nearly 50+ years.
American alligators are a species that can trace their roots back to prehistoric contemporaries at more than 150 million years old. With the capacity to grow over 12 feet and weigh over 1000 pounds, it’s no secret why they’re apex predators. Sharp teeth and powerful jaws allow them to capture almost any prey they may find.
In the water, American alligators can swim in short intervals up to 20 miles per hour, making them excellent swimmers. Even on land, alligators can move impressively fast, up to 35 miles per hour, their top speed. Though their short legs and heavy bodies make them poor distance runners, they can be deceptively quick in short bursts.
Often confused with crocodiles, a surefire way to tell the two reptiles apart is to look at their mouths. When a crocodile has their mouth closed, select bottom teeth are still visible. An alligator’s teeth are mostly hidden when they close their mouths.
