American Alligator: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Reptiles of America · day 6 of 7

Five facts

1. Alligators balance sticks on their heads to lure birds hunting for nest material. They are among the first reptiles recorded using tools.
2. A bellowing male alligator's infrasound makes the water over his back literally "sprinkle", in the so-called "water dance".
3. Alligators lose and regrow their teeth about once a year. Over a long life, one alligator may use more than 2,000 teeth.
4. When the water starts to freeze, alligators stick their snouts above the ice to breathe, and can stay that way for several days.
5. Mother alligators guard their nests, carry hatchlings to water, and look after them for up to three years.

The quiz

1. What do alligators balance on their heads to lure birds?

• Stones
• Fish
• Sticks and branches (correct)
• Feathers

They balance sticks and branches on their heads to lure birds.

2. What does the "water dance" show?

• Alligators swimming in circles
• A mother moving her eggs
• Alligators splashing with their tails
• Water sprinkling over a bellowing male's back (correct)

Infrasound makes the water over a bellowing male's back sprinkle.

3. How often do alligators replace their teeth?

• Never
• About once every year (correct)
• About once every ten years
• About once a week

They replace their teeth about once every year.

4. How do alligators breathe when the water freezes?

• Snouts stuck above the ice (correct)
• They dive to the bottom
• They leave the water for a month
• They breathe through their feet

They stick their snouts above the ice to breathe.

5. For how long do mother alligators look after their young?

• Up to three days
• Up to three weeks
• Up to three years (correct)
• Up to ten years

Mothers look after their young for up to three years.

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