American Alligator
Alligator mississippiensis
What could represent Florida better than the American Alligator? The name "Alligator" comes from the Spanish form el lagarto (“the lizard”), which the Spanish explorers and settlers, in Florida, called the Alligator.
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The Alligator has a wider nose and darker color than the crocodile does. You can see the upper teeth when the Alligator's jaws are closed. You can see both the upper and lower teeth in a crocodiles mouth. |
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On average they weigh about 800 pounds and are about 13 feet in length. The largest ever recorded, in Florida, was 17'5" long. |
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Alligator habitat is in fresh or brackish marshes, bays, rivers, lakes, swamps, and ponds. They are typically shy and non-aggressive but can occasionally be a problem. Alligator diet includes gar fish, turtles, snakes, frogs, small mammals, and birds. |
Although their bodies are heavy and their metabolisms are slow, they can generate short bursts of speed exceeding 30 mph.
Their jaws are very strong for biting and gripping prey, but muscles to open their jaws are very weak. This Prehistoric Reptile has 80 teeth; 40 on the top and 40 on the bottom.
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Fossil gator teeth and dermal scutes are very common in Florida. The dermal scutes are found just under the gators skin and are rectangular in shape. The scute has a distinctive ridge, which crocodiles do not have. |
Alligator Fossils for Sale
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 Alligator Scute Fossil for Sale Price: out of stock Item #: GAT021 |
 Price: $35 Item #: GAT019 |
 Alligator Coprolite Fossil Poop Price: SOLD Item #: GAT018 |
 Price: out of stock Item #: GAT017 |
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 Price: out of stock Item #: GAT015 |
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