American Alligator
Alligator mississippiensis is in the family Crocodylidae. This family has existed since the upper Triassic period, but the modern family members appear in the fossil record as little as 80 million years ago. There are three subfamilies, Alligatorinae, Crocodylinae, and Gavaialinae. Some people also include a fourth subfamily, Tomistominae, which contains a single species, the False Gharial. Alligatorinae includes the American and Chinese alligators and the caimans. Crocodylinae includes the crocodiles. Gavaialinae contains the gharials (or gavials). The alligators are unusually tolerant of cold and have been found frozen in ice at the most northern parts of their ranges (Beck). All of the family Crocodylidae is endangered. However, the American alligator has undergone a dramatic population resurgence because of human protection. Restrictions are still in place on capturing alligators from the wild (Beck). Studies have shown that using hormones such as norethindrone can be used to feminize alligator embryos at the male producing temperature (Lance, 79). This could lead to a way to help alligators increase in numbers of both sexes as well as help other members of the family Crocodylidae. Alligators a
All alligators, caimans, gavials, and crocodiles are carnivorous. In the wild, each depends upon a somewhat different selection of prey from its local fauna. For captive specimens, diet should vary with the size of the animal and the availability of prey. Small captives will do well on small animals (e.g.. goldfish, insects, or mice.) As the reptile grows, its diet should change from mice to rats to rabbits, chickens, and other suitable larger prey. It's prudent to supplement meals with added calcium. a seasonally fluctuating environment. Everglades: The ecosystem
Some common words found in the essay are:
THREATS Reptiles, Crocodylidae Alligators, Carolina REPRODUCTION, FOOD HABITS, South Carolina, JW Lang, Beck Studies, American Chinese, , Physiological Zoology, american alligator, water levels, south carolina, growth rates, family crocodylidae, american alligators, journol experimental zoology, jw lang, hydrological conditions, sex determined, dry lipid mass, experimental zoology, lean dry lipid, jw lang 1995, capturing alligators wild,
Approximate Word count = 1391
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
