Facts about American Alligator

1. 08

   Replacing worn teeth throughout their lifetime, American alligators can produce up to 3,000 teeth over the course of their entire lives.

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2. 07

   During the breeding season, male American alligators produce infrasound calls below 20 hertz that can travel up to one mile underwater to communicate with potential mates.

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3. 06

   American alligators can live 35 to 50 years in the wild, with some individuals in captivity reaching over 66 years old.

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4. 05

   Over 80 million years of evolution shaped the American alligator into a largely unchanged predator since the time of the dinosaurs.

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5. 04

   In Florida's freshwater ecosystems, American alligators can hold their breath underwater for up to seven hours by entering a state of reduced metabolic activity.

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6. 03

   Female American alligators construct elaborate nests from vegetation that can reach 7 feet in diameter and maintain temperatures between 86 and 93 degrees Fahrenheit for successful egg incubation.

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7. 02

   A 12-foot American alligator can exert a bite force of approximately 3,000 pounds per square inch, making it one of the strongest bites in the animal kingdom.

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8. 01

   Beneath the skin of an American alligator lie approximately 23 sensory organs per tooth socket that detect vibrations and pressure changes in water.

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