Natural History: American Alligator Alligator mississippiensis

Natural History

Blog Post 4

American Alligator

Alligator mississippiensis

               During our trip to the Donnelley Wildlife Management park, we encountered a large number of young American Alligators. This individual was significant larger and girthier than the others. While the masses were in the water, coasting across the surface, this alligator remained on land basking in the sun. There was little to no movement and was separate from the others during the whole time or observing. The sex of the alligator could not be determined completely as there is a chance that this individual has yet to reach full size. Knowing of the sexual dimorphism on size, it still would not be enough to make such deduction. The dimorphism is that males are typically larger than females and broader snouts. Another way to determine sex is observing the sexual organism located inside vents(cloaca) on the ventral side of the animal. If a penis emerges after stimulation, then it’s a male, and if a clitoris emerges, then it is a female.

               This animal was located in a marshy environment where the water was not clear at all. The life history of this gator is pretty simple, it was born from an egg laid in the same marsh we found it today. Once hatched, the animal will grow and lose some of the yellow coloration that it would have as a juvenile. Typically, solidarity is a sign of a male alligator, but when it comes to basking, this is shared between both sexes.

               Growing up I would always hear and be taught about the power that these animals have. This was something that was to be avoided at all costs. Similar to the slogan “a good snake is a dead snake”, the same mentality is what I had with alligators. In this trip and other exposures, I can see that tall they do is live their lives and have no interest in endangering me. When giving enough space and acting accordingly, there is no harm that will occur. Seeing these animals in person and as close as I did was something definitely truly special.

-        Javier Polo Jr.