Alligators are reptiles and belong to the family Alligatoridae. ¹⁾

They are native to the southeastern United States, primarily Florida and Louisiana. ²⁾

Alligators can grow up to 14 feet (4.3 meters) in length and weigh up to 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms). ³⁾

They have a lifespan of up to 50 years in the wild. ⁴⁾

Alligators are carnivorous and primarily eat fish, turtles, snakes, and mammals like deer or raccoons. ⁵⁾

They have a powerful bite force of up to 2,125 pounds per square inch (psi), which allows them to easily crush the bones of their prey. ⁶⁾

Alligators are cold-blooded and regulate their body temperature by basking in the sun or retreating to the water to cool off. ⁷⁾

They have a unique vocalization system that includes growls, hisses, and roars to communicate with each other. ⁸⁾

Alligators have tough, armored skin covered in bony plates called scutes, which provides protection from predators. ⁹⁾

They can stay underwater for up to two hours. ¹⁰⁾

Alligators have a unique breeding behavior in which they build nests of vegetation and mud to incubate their eggs, which can number up to 50. ¹¹⁾

They are important apex predators in their ecosystems and play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. ¹²⁾

Alligators have been around for over 150 million years. ¹³⁾

They have an average walking speed of 2-3 miles per hour (3-5 kilometers per hour). ¹⁴⁾

Alligators can sense vibrations in the water to locate their prey and have excellent night vision for hunting in low-light conditions. ¹⁵⁾