1. American Alligator Harley Campbell

2. Physical Characteristics The alligator can be up to 18 feet long.

3. Lifespan The alligator can live 35-50 years. It can live from 60-80 years.

4. Eating Habits/Diet The alligator is an omnivore. It eats fish, turtles, mammals, birds, and reptiles.

5. Population There are about 5 million alligators in the Southeastern US. There are about 1 million in Florida.

6. Habitat/Range The habitat is swamps in Florida, Texas, North and South Caroline, Georgia, and Alabama.

7. Adaptations The teeth are used for ripping and tearing prey. The claws are for catching prey. The tail is for swimming in the water.

8. Fun Facts They can swim 20 miles per hour. They have no vocal cords.

9. Endangered because The alligator is endangered because people overhunted it for its skin and people destructed its habitat.

10. Reference Defenders of the Wild. 2012. www.defenders.org