ADW: Alligator Mississippiensis - Animal Diversity Web

Habitat

Although sometimes found in brackish water settings, the American alligator is most commonly found in freshwater environments of the temperate region due to its low tolerance for salt. The most common areas to observe the American alligator are in marshes, swamps, rivers, ponds, and lagoons. The American alligator has also been known to occupy man-made water structures such as swimming pools, fishponds, and dammed lakes in urban and suburban areas.

An alligator can make a structure known as a gator hole in the ground. These holes are made by the alligator using its snout and tail to burrow into the mud or soil until a suitable space is created. This gator hole is created as a safe haven against drought and irregular weather patterns.

Although the American alligator is sometimes seen on land, it is primarily an aquatic creature. There are two main factors that contribute to habitat inclination for the American alligator. The first factor depends on the sex of the alligator because the female is more interested in protecting her young than the male. A male alligator spends the majority of his time in open waters, while the female only ventures into open water during mating season. The second factor is based on size. The smaller the alligator, the more likely it is to be found in wetlands, where it uses the plant life as a means of protection from predators. Whereas the larger the alligator, the more likely it is to be found in open waters.

• Habitat Regions
• temperate temperate
• freshwater freshwater

• Aquatic Biomes
• lakes and ponds
• rivers and streams
• brackish water brackish water

• Wetlands
• marsh marsh
• swamp swamp

• Other Habitat Features
• urban urban
• suburban suburban