American Alligator in the Everglades National Park, Florida, United States of America
The American Alligator has a large, slightly rounded body, with thick limbs, a broad head, and a very powerful tail. They generally have an olive, brown, gray or nearly black color with a creamy white underside. Algae-laden waters produce greener skin, while tannic acid from overhanging trees can produce often darker skin.[2] Adult male alligators are typically to ft ( to m) in length, while adult females average to ft ( to m).[3][4][5] One American Alligator allegedly reached a length of 19 feet 2 inches ( m),[6] which would have made it the largest ever recorded, but this has never been verified or even supported by reliable information and is considered highly unlikely by experts. The tail, which accounts for half of the alligator's total length, is primarily used for aquatic propulsion. The tail can also be used as a weapon of defense when an alligator feels threatened. Alligators travel very quickly in water and while they are generally slow-moving on land, alligators can lunge short distances very quickly. They have five claws on each front foot and four on each rear foot. American Alligators have the strongest known bite of any living animal, measured at up to 9,452 newtons (2,125 lbf) in laboratory conditions.[7] Some alligators are missing an inhibited gene for melanin, which makes them albino. These alligators are extremely rare and practically impossible to find in the wild. They could survive only in captivity. Like all albino animals, they are very vulnerable to the sun and predators.[8] Wikipedia
Size: 5200px × 3466px
Location: Everglades National Park, Florida, United States of America
Photo credit: © Steve Nudson / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
Keywords: alligator, american, blooded, cold, everglades, florida, gator, mississippiensis, multiple, reptile, states, united
