Alligators are large carnivores and can become very aggressive when protecting their young. Becoming a victim of these animals can be avoided as one just needs to understand their behavior. Having a swim with alligators is becoming more and more popular while at the same time the need to show respect to these predators is very important.
There are many people that are not sure what the difference is between an alligator and a crocodile and to be honest there are many similarities between the two. First of all there are three family groups of crocodiles namely the alligatoridae, the alligator and the caiman fall under this one. The crocodylidae, the gavialidae and the true crocodile falls under the next group. The last one is the gharial. So alligators are a different family from the crocodiles.
The gharial is also commonly known as the fish eating crocodile and is mainly found in the Indian Subcontinent. It is estimated that there are as few as two hundred and thirty five left. This is considered to be because of the loss of their habitat as well as the depletion of fish. They are now on the list of critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
If ever one comes across one crossing a road do not attempt to move it. It will eventually move along by itself so just be patient. They generally move around during the breeding seasons which are summer and spring. Also never throw anything at them as this can cause injuring or even killing them and it is punishable by a big fine or days spent behind bars.
Try to avoid any areas that they inhabit or otherwise always have someone with. Keep the splashing to a minimum as they generally will come to investigate thinking there is any easy catch. They are animals and will always act on instinct and ultimately will attack.
If ever coming across a nest or baby alligators rather leave them alone. The mother might not be seen but she is in the close proximity of her babies and if they are in danger she will not hesitate to attack. Sometimes she may just hiss or lunge and this is her way of indicating that one is too close to her family.
Alligators many years ago were nearly never seen but lately in Florida they seem to be everywhere. Many people are afraid to let their dogs and cats out to explore as they might just become the next meal. They were few and far between when they were allowed to be hunted but now there is a law to protect these creatures.
Another noticeable difference is that alligators often reach lengths of fourteen to fifteen feet in length, whereas the crocodiles are a little shorter. The salt water crocodile can reach to eighteen feet and others still twenty feet in length. Much smaller species can only reach about five feet and these are the African dwarf crocodile.
There are many people that are not sure what the difference is between an alligator and a crocodile and to be honest there are many similarities between the two. First of all there are three family groups of crocodiles namely the alligatoridae, the alligator and the caiman fall under this one. The crocodylidae, the gavialidae and the true crocodile falls under the next group. The last one is the gharial. So alligators are a different family from the crocodiles.
The gharial is also commonly known as the fish eating crocodile and is mainly found in the Indian Subcontinent. It is estimated that there are as few as two hundred and thirty five left. This is considered to be because of the loss of their habitat as well as the depletion of fish. They are now on the list of critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
If ever one comes across one crossing a road do not attempt to move it. It will eventually move along by itself so just be patient. They generally move around during the breeding seasons which are summer and spring. Also never throw anything at them as this can cause injuring or even killing them and it is punishable by a big fine or days spent behind bars.
Try to avoid any areas that they inhabit or otherwise always have someone with. Keep the splashing to a minimum as they generally will come to investigate thinking there is any easy catch. They are animals and will always act on instinct and ultimately will attack.
If ever coming across a nest or baby alligators rather leave them alone. The mother might not be seen but she is in the close proximity of her babies and if they are in danger she will not hesitate to attack. Sometimes she may just hiss or lunge and this is her way of indicating that one is too close to her family.
Alligators many years ago were nearly never seen but lately in Florida they seem to be everywhere. Many people are afraid to let their dogs and cats out to explore as they might just become the next meal. They were few and far between when they were allowed to be hunted but now there is a law to protect these creatures.
Another noticeable difference is that alligators often reach lengths of fourteen to fifteen feet in length, whereas the crocodiles are a little shorter. The salt water crocodile can reach to eighteen feet and others still twenty feet in length. Much smaller species can only reach about five feet and these are the African dwarf crocodile.