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American Alligator

American Alligato, Wildlife Safari-OR
Wildlife Safari Alligator, Oregon

The American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis, (known colloquially as simply gator) is one of the two living species of Alligator, a genus within the family Alligatoridae. The American Alligator is native only to the Southern United States, where it inhabits wetlands that frequently overlap with human-populated areas. More info in comments.

Have a Great Day
f5.6, 1/125sec, ISO125, 200mm (18-200mm lens)

Denny E. Barnes

debarnesphotography.com - Denny E. Barnes

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The American alligator is found in swamps and sluggish streams from North Carolina to Florida and along the Gulf Coast. When young, it is dark brown or black with yellow transverse bands. The bands fade as the animal grows, and the adult is black. Males commonly reach a length of 9 ft (2.7 m) and a weight of 250 lbs (110 kg); females are smaller. Males 18 ft (5.4 m) long were once fairly common, but intensive hunting for alligator leather eliminated larger individuals (a specimen over 10 ft/3 m long is now unusual) and threatened the species as a whole. The wild American alligator is now protected by law, but it is also raised on farms for commercial uses.

This is the only one Wildlife Safari has...

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April 16, 2010

Jack Ryan

An excellent image and very interesting background info. Very nicely done,Denny.

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April 16, 2010

Robert R. Goodman

Hi Denny,one thing for sure he is bigger than a Arizona lizard.That is a awesome capture my friend.Great lighting and color!!!

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April 16, 2010

Mike Clime

Nice capture, wonderful textures and light!

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April 16, 2010

Tiia Vissak