Alligators Temporal range: Oligocene-Holocene, | Phylum: Chordata | Class: Reptilia | Order: Crocodilia | Family: Alligatoridae |
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What group is alligators in?
Alligators are large reptiles and members of the
order Crocodylia
. The two existing species of alligators and the many worldwide species of crocodiles are closely related, and people often confuse one with the other.
What classification is an alligator?
Reptiles
Are alligators reptiles or fish?
Reptiles are turtles, snakes, lizards, alligators and crocodiles
. Unlike amphibians, reptiles breathe only through their lungs and have dry, scaly skin that prevents them from drying out. Amphibians and reptiles are together called herpetofauna, or “herps” for short.
Can alligators and crocodiles live together?
Crocodiles are native to North, Central, and South America, Africa, Australia, and part of Asia. Interestingly,
the Florida Everglades is the only place in the world where both alligators and crocodiles live together
.
In what animal group do alligators and crocodiles belong?
Crocodilia Temporal range: Late Cretaceous – Recent | Clockwise from top-left: saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), and gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) | Scientific classification | Kingdom: Animalia | Phylum: Chordata |
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What are a group of baby alligators called?
Baby alligators (hatchlings) have a pointed “egg tooth” or a caruncle to help them break out of their shell. This tooth is soon lost after hatching. Hatchlings are about 8 inches long. A group of hatchlings is called
a pod
.
Is an alligator a dinosaur?
Alligators are not dinosaurs
, though they belong to the same order as dinosaurs once did. Their ancestors were closely related to dinosaurs and walked the earth at the same time. While dinosaurs went extinct, alligator ancestors went on to evolve into the alligators we see on Earth today.
What is a group of goats called?
A group of goats is officially known as
a herd, trip, or tribe
.
What is an alligator’s predator?
Many young alligators are eaten by predators such as
birds, snakes, fish, and mammals
, but are usually safe after they reach four feet (1.2 meters) long.
Are crocodiles and alligators the same?
Family.
Alligators and crocodiles are from the same scientific order, but from different families
. They are both members of the Crocodylia, but crocodiles are from the Crocodylidae family, while alligators come from the Alligatordae family.
Which is bigger crocodile or alligator?
Crocodiles are the larger species
and fully-grown will be up to a metre longer than even large alligators. They are also a lighter colour and have long, v-shaped snouts.
Is it illegal to touch an alligator in Florida?
(1) A person may not intentionally kill, injure, possess, or capture, or attempt to kill, injure, possess, or capture, an alligator or other crocodilian, or the eggs of an alligator or other crocodilian, unless authorized by rules of the commission.
Do alligators eat alligators?
“
Adult alligators are known to eat other (typically smaller) alligators
.” The Department of Natural Resources also has this lovely definition of alligators, for your convenience: Alligators are carnivorous and prey on any animal that is available.
Why do humans hunt alligators?
From the 1800s through the mid-1900s, gators were often hunted
for their skins, which were used in making leather. They were also poached for meat
. This large-scale hunting and poaching, along with loss of habitat, reduced the alligator population so dramatically that it was on the brink of extinction.
Can alligators be friendly?
While
they may not rank the highest on being the most friendly or cuddliest animals
, alligators are certainly one of the most fascinating, dare we say…
Do mother alligators eat their babies?
The only animals that protect their young are mammals, like us. Alligators protect their nest because it’s theirs.
An alligator mother will eat all the babies if conditions are bad
—like a drought or no water.
Do crocs and alligators mate?
Question: Can alligators and crocodiles mate? Answer:
No, they can’t
. Although they look similar, they are genetically too far apart. Although related, they split into separate genera a long time ago.
Who would win an alligator or a crocodile?
Of the two reptiles,
the crocodile would win in a face to face combat
. Although the alligator is faster, here are the reasons why the crocodile would win: Crocodiles are usually bigger and heavier. Crocs have a more lethal bite due to their size and strength.
Is an alligator a type of lizard?
No. Alligators, crocodiles, caimans, and gharials are all crocodilians.
Like lizards, they’re generally considered to be reptiles
.
How tough is crocodile skin?
Crocodile scales are actually called ‘Scutes’. They are very big in size, due to the nature of a crocodiles size in general, and have the density of bone. Amazingly the scutes are not attached to any part of a crocodiles skeleton, therefore this armoured skin is
incredibly flexible and durable
.
What are alligators known for?
Alligators play an important role in their wetland ecosystems by
creating small ponds known as alligator holes
. Alligator holes retain water during the dry season and provide habitats for other animals. 6. Alligators are apex predators that also eat fruit.
What is a group of caimans called?
Once hatched, the mother takes her young (and perhaps those of other females who laid in the nest) in groups called “
pods
” to a pool of shallow water, where they start learning to swim and hunt. Only 10% of young caimans live to 1-year of age due to predation by birds, cats, fish, otters, and other caimans.
Are alligators bulletproof?
And a tanned alligator leather hide? Not a chance.
Alligator skin is definitely not designed for bullet protection
and shooting a bullet at it will puncture a hole right through!
What are terror crocs?
The closest living relatives of Tyrannosaurus rex are birds such as chickens and ostriches
, according to research published today in Science (and promptly reported in the New York Times). Paleontologists used material discovered in a chance find in 2003 to pin down the link.