When it comes to reptiles, these creatures have unique features that set them apart. This is especially true for alligators. They are not amphibians, but they live both on land and water. They are cold-blooded, breathe with their lungs, and have their way of “hibernation”.
Alligators are predators that can live up to 50 years old in the wild. With their tough and scaly gray-green skin, they can blend into any environment. They have powerful jaws and sharp teeth. This makes them scary hunters for both humans and animals.
Different Alligators in the Wild
For most people, alligators look the same. But what they do not know is there are different types of alligators. Each type has its features that set it apart from the other. Some are in America. Then, some live in a specific country.
Three Types of Alligators in the Wild
What are the 3 types of alligators? Most people only recognize two species. In this article, though, we discuss three different types of alligators. This way, we avoid confusion. Below are three types of alligators in the wild:
1. American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
The American Alligator is a large reptile found in the southeastern part of the country. Adults reach up to 14 feet and weigh over a thousand pounds.
Despite being common, what sets them apart is that they are both powerful and intriguing. For instance, they have the strongest laboratory-tested bite of any other animal. According to studies, it measures over 9,400 newtons.
However, researchers consider American alligators an endangered species. In the black market, their skin, teeth, and other body parts sell at high prices. Thus, hunters hunt and kill them when they have the chance. This is the reason why authorities regulate alligator hunting. American alligators live in the following states:
- Florida
- Louisiana
- Georgia
- Alabama
- Mississippi
- South Carolina
- North Carolina
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
You can find these alligators in freshwater environments, such as:
- Swamps
- Marshes
- Rivers
So, if you want to find many American alligators in one place, Florida and Louisiana are the places to see them. These states also have a large number of freshwater environments.
2. Chinese Alligator (Alligator sinensis)
You can find Chinese alligators in the Yangtze River basin in China. It is smaller and a lot different than the American Alligator. It has a shrunk snout and turns up at the end. Their teeth are not that sharp. But their shape is more suitable for better crushing of food, such as clams and snails that are part of their diet. This is also suited for hard objects and other prey.
When Chinese alligators reach adulthood, they can grow up to five feet in length. They also weigh approximately 85 pounds and live in temperate climates. Like their American counterparts, they brumate during winter. Another significant difference is that they have thick skin.
Compared to their American counterparts, Chinese alligators are an endangered species. Less than 200 species are remaining in the wild. This is due to their tough and protective armor, which sells high in the black market. Hunters target them due to the high demand for their skin. Other factors of their shrinking population include:
- Inadvertent Poisoning
- Traditional Chinese medicine - People use the body parts of an alligator in tonics and cures.
- Encroachment onto their natural habitat - Owners build rice paddies where alligators live. As a result, their areas shrink and left with no home to live in.
Nowadays, zookeepers breed Chinese alligators in zoos. Once grown, zookeepers release them in the wild in China. Researchers hope this reintroduction provides hope for the future of the Chinese alligator.
3. Caimans
This is a type of alligator that leaves most people confused. At times, people confuse them with normal alligators. But actually, caimans are distinct species within the Alligatoridae family. Some might know them as close cousins of the Caimaninae family. Caimans live in Central and South America. Unlike their American and Chinese counterparts, they are smaller in size. But they can also grow to a size comparable to larger alligators.
Are you sure you’re well verse with the term?
Well, I can guarantee that you don’t.
‘Cache’ is often heard or may be an overheard term in the digital world.
Though, we often get to read it along the dedicated server specifications, but only a few know what its role is.Before describing its operation, it is important to know that Cache is often used in many protocols and technologies.
The prime aim of Cache is to communicate between two or more machines faster.
That means it avoids unnecessary recurrence action and data exchange.
