Facts about Chinese Alligator
- 09
In China's Anhui Province, a dedicated nature reserve protects approximately 15,000 Chinese alligators in captivity, representing nearly three times the entire wild population.
- 08
A Chinese alligator's heart has a unique three-chambered structure that allows it to survive prolonged periods of oxygen deprivation during winter hibernation.
- 07
Vocalizations from Chinese alligators include distinctive bellowing calls that males produce during breeding season to establish territory and attract females.
- 06
Eggs of Chinese alligators require approximately 70 days of incubation at temperatures between 82 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit to successfully hatch.
- 05
Yangtze River populations of Chinese alligators have declined by 90 percent since the 1950s due to habitat loss from dam construction and agricultural development.
- 04
The Chinese alligator's snout features two large nasal mounds that distinguish it from the American alligator and help it breathe while mostly submerged in water.
- 03
During the winter months, Chinese alligators enter a dormant state in burrows where they can survive for up to six months without eating or surfacing for air.
- 02
Measuring only 4 to 5 feet long, the Chinese alligator is roughly one-third the size of its American cousin and represents the only living alligator species native to Asia.
- 01
Fewer than 5,000 Chinese alligators remain in the wild, making them critically endangered compared to American alligators which number over one million.