The American Alligator

A natural history of the American alligator.

Scientists believe American alligators have been around for nearly 150 million years, but they came close to going extinct. American Alligator explores the alligator's key role in its habitat, how hunting and habitat changes almost led to its extinction, and how efforts such as egg collection and controlled hunting help to preserve the species. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

American alligators live throughout the southeastern United States, slowly swimming through rivers and swamps while looking for their next meal. They snatch up prey in a flash! With few predators once fully grown, American alligators can live to be 50 years old. Learn more about these heavily armored reptiles and their growth from hatchlings to adults in this title for beginning and struggling readers.

The ultimate guide to understanding the biology and behavior of the amazing and underappreciated American alligator. Few scenes put the senses on edge more than a submerged alligator, only eyes and snout showing, when peering across a southern lake on a misty morning. An iconic American predator, these reptiles grow to thirteen feet or more and can live as long as humans. Alligators are complex creatures, capable of terrific attacks and yet tending to their young in the same gentle way a mother duck looks after her brood. Once extremely numerous, alligators came close to extinction in the twentieth century, but thanks to conservation efforts have since made a comeback, reclaiming their rightful place as the monarchs of the southern wetlands. In this fascinating account, richly illustrated with more than 150 photographs from award-winning wildlife photographer Wayne Lynch, expert zoologist Kent A. Vliet introduces readers to the biology, ecology, and natural history of the American alligator. Sharing nuanced depictions of their hidden lives that will forever change the way you think of these giant reptiles, the book • combines captivating storytelling with the most current scientific facts • chronicles the life cycle of the alligator • explains why the alligator's precise anatomy and physiology make it so successful • covers a wide range of topics, from courtship and reproduction to communication, basking, nest-building, and hunting • reveals the alligator's sophisticated social life in detail • evaluates the alligator's environmental role as a keystone species • examines the complicated relationship between alligators and people

In this book, readers will learn basic scientific facts about alligators, including the all-important characteristics that distinguish alligators from crocodiles, and how caring individuals, along with the government and other organizations, cooperated to make alligators a conservation success story.

Discusses what American alligators are, why they are endangered, what their current status is, and what is being done to help them. Includes Internet links to Web sites related to American alligators.