American Alligator
(Alligator mississippiensis)

An alligator nest is built above the ground. It is made of sticks, twigs, leaves and dirt and may be 7 feet wide and 42 inches high. Once the 20-70 eggs are laid in the cover of darkness, mom stays near and keeps them safe. The rotting leaves and dirt creates heat and keeps the eggs warm. After 2-3 months the babies will break out of their shells by using a small bump on their noses called an egg tooth. Mom will carry her precious babies on her back or in the safety of her mouth to the water. She will continue to protect her babies from becoming a snack to great herons, wildcats, otters, raccoons, skunks, snakes, turtles, large fish, and even other alligators.


These little 8 inch alligator babies can survive to be 100 years old and grow up to be 20 feet long.