Florida Alligators

Alligator facts:

• the alligator has survived on earth for 200 million years



• average American alligator's weight and length is 800 lbs (360 kg) and 13 feet (4 m) long though the record in Florida is 1043 lbs and 13 ft 10 and a half inches long



• the largest alligator on record measured 19 feet 2 inches (5.8 m) and was caught on Marsh Island, Louisiana



• these larger alligators were never weighed though they could have exceeded a ton in weight



• alligators like to eat food that they can swallow in one bite



• they will drown prey that they can not kill by biting



• the muscles that close alligator's jaw are exceptionally powerful but the ones that open it aren't nearly as strong so - some duct tape will keep its dangerous mouth closed



• Alligators have a fear of humans but can lose this fear if they are fed by human hand

***