Status: Threatened due to similarity of appearance (50 FR 21059, June 4, 1987). Without critical habitat.
Description: Alligators are large, lizard-like reptiles with broadly rounded snouts. Adults are six (185 cm) to 12 (365 cm)
feet long and can reach lengths of 15 (455 cm) or more feet. They are blackish in appearance, but have pale crossbands on the
back and vertical markings on the sides.
Life History: Females make nest mounds of grass and mud which insulate the eggs from drastic temperature
fluctuations. Mounds may be two feet high and contain 30 to 50 eggs. The female will guard the nest until the young are
ready to hatch. Incubation lasts from 60 to 70 days. At the end of incubation, the young begin making "chucking" sounds
until the female uncovers the eggs. The young can grow a foot or more each year for several years. Both adults and young
feed on a variety of animals, including fish, turtles, and other aquatic organisms.
Habitat: Alligators inhabit rivers, swamps, estuaries, lakes, and marshes.
Distribution: Alligators are found throughout the southeastern United States, from North Carolina to Texas.
Oklahoma represents the northwestern most reaches of their range. The historic distribution in Oklahoma was limited
to the Red River and Little River drainages in southeastern Oklahoma. Currently, alligators are considered to be an
occasional visitor along the Red River in McCurtain County.
Causes of Decline: Alligators have declined in numbers due to overhunting and destruction of habitat.
The young are at high risk from predation and human disturbance.
Recovery Needs: Top recovery tasks for the American alligator have included providing protection for the
species (hunting and trade restrictions) and their habitat.
Other information: American alligator populations have responded well to
protection and regulated hunting is now allowed in most states within the alligator's range.
