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Are alligators or crocodiles in south carolina- Are alligators or crocodiles in south carolina
Herp Home. SREL Home. Alligators and their relatives are the last of the living reptiles that were closely related to dinosaurs, and their closest modern kin are birds. There is only one other alligator species, the Chinese alligator.
Alligators and crocodiles are related. However, alligators have rounded snouts, while most crocodile species have longer, pointed snouts. Also, crocodiles occur only in tropical and subtropical areas only south Florida in the United States , while alligators live in somewhat colder climates.
Alligators have fairly poor eyesight. Alligators hear with ears that are located behind their eyes and are very sensitive to vibrations in the water. Alligators are frequently seen basking.
Fish are an important food source for alligators. Opossums and other small mammals are also common prey items. If you see an alligator just keep your distance and enjoy the sight of these reptiles that are closely related to prehistoric dinosaurs. Do not feed an alligator. Providing food for these wild animals not only makes them bolder and encourages them to seek out people, it also alters their natural diet in an unhealthy way.
Keep your pets and children away from alligators. Gators don't distinguish between domestic pets and natural food sources. These are some very timid reptiles, after all. In , a 6-foot American crocodile made a rare appearance outside Florida -- at South Carolina's Isle of Palms, a common spot for vacationing.
The large reptile was caught in the surf and may actually have made his way up the southeastern coast -- from Florida -- by swimming, plain and simple. After being caught, the croc -- an endangered species, exempt from dispatch -- was sent back to Florida to live in the wild or an alligator park. Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The American alligator Alligator mississippiensis is also found in south Florida, among other places.
South Florida is the only place you can find both animals in the wild. To distinguish the two, alligators have a more U-shaped snout while crocodiles have a more pointed or V-shaped one.
In addition, alligators are black, while crocodiles are usually a lighter grayish brown. Habitat 3. Mating and Nesting 4. Lifespan 6. They Can Have Up to Teeth 7. They Can Run Shape of the Snout 2. Size 3.
Habitat 4. Species Size 5. Feet 6. Do Not Corner an Alligator 2. Swim in Designated Areas 3.
Are alligators or crocodiles in south carolina -
Previously unpopulated states will now have alligators which will affect the ecosystem enormously. Kayakers and other water users need to be aware that they may encounter alligators in states bordering their normal habitat. Louisiana has massive swamplands and a warm climate making it ideal for alligators. A survey done in May found that Louisiana has more than two million wild alligators.
There are a further one million alligators on farms across Louisiana. Louisiana has 3 million alligators, which is a substantial number compared to the 4. Therefore, the chance of kayakers encountering alligators in Louisiana is high.
The state with the second highest alligator numbers is Florida. The survey estimated there are 1. Alligators and crocodiles are considered apex predators in the Everglades swamp lands of southern Florida. There are only to crocodiles in Florida, considerably less than the alligators.
Crocodiles are usually bigger and have more powerful bites than alligators. Kayakers should give both reptiles a wide berth. Gainesville, Florida, is the most alligator-infested city in the United States.
Here alligators are commonly found in sewers and drainpipes. The heat in Texas makes it an ideal habitat for alligators. There are roughly to alligators in Texas. After all, they both have mouths that are packed with some seriously oversized sharp teeth, green scaly bodies, and the strength to pull their prey underwater in a mere moment.
But, it's important to give respect where respect is due in the animal kingdom, because crocs and gators couldn't be more different. Crocodiles, Owlcation explained, can be found across the world, while their alligator friends are only found in parts of the United States and China.
There are an estimated 3 million alligators currently living in the U. Of course, you shouldn't completely count the American crocodile out.
As Owlcation noted, there are about 2, crocodiles in the U. As for where you'll find them swimming, crocodiles prefer to live and hunt in salt water, while gators prefer a freshwater habitat.
Perhaps the easiest way to tell an alligator and a crocodile apart is by looking at their teeth. It can reach lengths of about 23 feet, weighing more than a ton in some cases! Alligators are massive, too. The American alligator is the one that most people will encounter. It can reach lengths of 20 feet at most. But, they rarely get that big, even in captivity. Females are only eight to ten feet long, weighing pounds. Males get to be around 13 feet long and tip the scales at 1, pounds.
American crocodiles are slightly smaller than the average saltwater species. But even still, they are a good four to six feet longer than the American alligator. Both are pretty scary and certainly powerful enough to take down prey. However, they have noticeably different outlines that cater to their hunting habits.
The alligator has a broad snout. Zoologists believe that the broader shape facilitates their preference for crushing objects. Tough targets like turtles are no match for the alligator! They can destroy the shell in one swift bite. Crocodiles have robust jaws and capable snouts, too.
But they are a little different in shape. It starts broad but tapers down to a narrow tip. The snout is V-shaped, creating a more linear-looking silhouette. The V-shaped snout is perfect for thrashing and physical destruction as far as hunting goes. Crocs are more aggressive in their hunting tactics, preferring to rip and shred rather than crush more on this later. After all, these semi-aquatic animals have pretty similar color patterns.
However, paying attention to both the shade of their skin and its distinct patterns can help you learn more about what it is. Generally, crocodiles have a lighter and more varied tone. The exact color will depend on where the reptile lives. Most are usually olive green, tan, or light gray. Mottled or speckled coloration is standard for camouflage. American crocodiles typically have a slate-colored body with yellow or white bellies.
The countershading is a unique type of camouflage that helps the creature blend in with the water to prey below. Alligators are dark green.
The skin is slick and shiny. In some lighting conditions, they can appear almost black! Gators living in algae-rich bodies of water may appear slightly greener, but most are dark enough to blend in with the muck of river banks.
The dome receptors help the gator regulate water pressure and detect vibrations. Dome receptors are translucent on crocodiles, making them more challenging to see. In the crocodile vs. While their snouts are more pointed, you have to remember that crocs are bigger and heavier. They have a more muscular jaw, resulting in a bite force of roughly 3, PSI. For some perspective, most humans use a mere to PSI of bite force when chewing steak! Alligators are indigenous to the southern states including South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and even into Virginia.
They are quite common in the Charleston area hanging-out in rivers, marshes, ponds, canals and even in golf course lakes. Charleston area residents typically don't fear them but some tourists think that alligators just lie and wait to eat children and pets which isn't true.
Although there have been recorded cases of alligators attacking people, generally they are shy animals and try to avoid humans. According to the State of South Carolina, there about alligator complaints investigated throughout South Carolina each season.
Of those, more than half involve alligators less than 5 feet long that weigh about 22 pounds.
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