Alligators

Alligators are big reptiles that look a lot like crocodiles. They have tough, scaly skin and a long, thick tail. You can find them in warm, wet places like swamps and rivers. Alligators are great swimmers and strong hunters.

Where They Live

Most alligators live in the southeastern United States. They like slow-moving rivers, lakes, and marshes. There is also a rare kind of alligator that lives in China. Alligators need warm weather to stay active.

An American alligator next to a smaller Chinese alligator.
An American alligator next to a smaller Chinese alligator. (C. J. Cornish et al / Wikimedia Commons)

What They Eat

Alligators are meat eaters, which means they are carnivores. They eat fish, birds, turtles, and small animals. Their strong jaws can snap shut very fast. Baby alligators start by eating bugs and tiny fish.

Fun Facts

  • An alligator can grow more than 10 feet long.
  • Mother alligators carry their babies in their mouths to keep them safe.
  • Alligators have been on Earth for millions of years.

Did You Know?

An alligator's snout is wide and shaped like a U, while a crocodile's snout is more pointed and shaped like a V.