American Alligator

? American Alligators have been around for over a million years. They are plentiful now, but were critically endangered in the 1960s and 70s. Conservation efforts brought them back from the brink of extinction. You are most likely to spot American Alligators in Florida and Louisiana, where they live in lakes, ponds, and rivers, but you can find them all over the southeastern United States. They are great swimmers as they are equipped with webbed feet and strong tails that propel them through the water. The average male is 10-15 feet long, half of which is their massive tail. American Alligators can weigh as much as half a ton! While adult alligators are considered predators, baby alligators are considered prey to raccoons, bobcats, birds, and even other alligators.