Brandon
Brown
Bio Summative
American Alligator
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American Alligators are one of the most dangerous and strongest animals in the sea and on land. However, these animals were equipped with a heavy body make up consisting of boney plates termed osteoderms, which equips American Alligators with armor like protection causing a very unyielding experience for other animals. American Alligators also have bone constructed spikes on their back helping to protect them from vicious attacks.
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Prefer fresh water; inhabit Southeastern United States from Great Dismal Swamp to North Carolina and Everglades National park. In these areas they steer clear of salt water as their salt glands found on their tongue does not work.
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Regardless of their heavy bodily construct American Alligators are notorious for their burst of speed in the form of short lunges. This ability is generally expressed as a tactic for catching their prey.
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Defined as a key note species American Alligators play a key role in the survival of other aquatic animals. Taking a liking to modifying wet lands they inhabit – especially the Everglades – American Alligators construct small ponds known as alligator holes. In tern, the holes become a home for other species; some aquatic species even survive the dry season by living in those holes. However shocking, it must be noted that species do survive in alligator holes as the hole itself spans across a large area and then considered to be a pond.
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Small American Alligators tend to stick together in small numbers to support each other as they grow, although they will eventually part ways and defend their own territory.
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Large male American Alligators are known to be extremely territorial and live their life in a solitary manner.
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Kingdom:Animalia
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Family:Alligatoridae
Human Impact on American Alligator
It all began at notable point in history – the Industrial Revolution. The age fashion (among other things) become prominent. This brought forth a classical case of supply and demand; early native tribes would hunt alligators and use their skin (known as alligator hide) to keep them warm. In many native cultures, once and animal is killed, it is often normal for them to pay tribute to the dead by matters of thankful prayers and honoring it by utilizing every part of the animal. After the industrial revolution in Europe, people began paying tribute to their pockets and the market price for alligators. A tremendous market flourished consisting of, leather boots, shoes, travel bags, saddlebags, purses, card cases, and belts. These products were known to be very durable and outstandingly fashionable due to the shiny, smooth and clean texture of the products.
After the American Civil War, many alligator hunters sprung up to feed the demand of the south. In 1888, in the Cocoa Beach area of Florida, ten hunters killed 5000 alligators in a single season. At this time it was commonplace for each alligator hunter to kill 200 to 400 animals per year (www.wildflorida.com). It is no surprise that Florida records show that 190,000 hides had been traded in 1929 with an estimated guess of about 10 million alligators killed from 1870 to present present day (Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission).
In 1944 Florida and Louisiana (two of the nine alligator populated states) introduced legislation to protect alligators during the breeding season and prohibiting the killing of alligators less than 4 feet (1.2 m) in length. But populations continued to decline, reaching a record low showing that the animal was virtually non-existent over the original area it inhabited. Noticing such change, federal laws prohibited the interstate shipment of alligators; declaring such protective measures finally began to take effect in 1970. - www.wildflorida.com
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Phylum:Chordata
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Class:Reptilia
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Order:Crocodilia
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Genus:Alligator
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Species:A. mississippiensis