How big can an American alligator get?

Males typically reach 3.4 to 4.8 m in length and can weigh close to 500 kg, while females are smaller at 2.6 to 3.35 m.

Was the American alligator ever endangered?

Yes—overhunting nearly eliminated the species by the 1960s, but conservation measures allowed it to recover, and it was delisted from the U.S. endangered species list in 1987.

American Alligatorミシシッピワニ

Alligator mississippiensisLC— Least Concern

The American alligator is a large crocodilian apex predator native to the southeastern United States, from South Carolina to Texas, with the biggest populations in Louisiana. Males can reach 4.8 m in length and nearly 500 kg, preying on everything from fish to large mammals, and the species shows rare parental care among reptiles. Once nearly wiped out by overhunting, it recovered enough to be removed from the U.S. endangered species list in 1987 and is now assessed as Least Concern.

American Alligator (reference photo) — Photo: User:Postdlf / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Crocodilia / Alligatoridae Source
Distribution: Found in the southeastern United States, from the Lowcountry of South Carolina south to Everglades National Park in Florida and west to South Texas, with Louisiana hosting the largest population. Source

Did You Know?

It has been observed balancing sticks on its snout to lure nest-building birds within striking distance—among the first documented cases of tool use in a reptile. Source
Overhunting nearly wiped out the species by the 1960s, but conservation efforts allowed populations to recover enough that it was removed from the U.S. endangered species list in 1987. Source

Where to See This Species

2 facilities · 0 individuals

Toba AquariumMieOpened in 1955

鳥羽水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical GardensAichiOpened in 1937

名古屋市東山動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNでLC（低懸念）。保護策により個体数が回復した例として知られます。

Habitat

米国南東部の沼沢、河川、湖、湿地。

Threats

湿地の消失
違法捕獲
人との衝突

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

狩猟規制
湿地保全
個体群管理

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

Support Conservation

A visit is a small, positive way to support the daily lives of the animals you care about.

Visit: A visit itself helps support the facility.
Animal Supporter Programs & Giving: Find ways to support the facility through its official website.
Furusato Nozei: Municipally run facilities may share official guidance for this Japanese hometown-tax program.

FAQ

How big can an American alligator get?: Males typically reach 3.4 to 4.8 m in length and can weigh close to 500 kg, while females are smaller at 2.6 to 3.35 m. Source
Was the American alligator ever endangered?: Yes—overhunting nearly eliminated the species by the 1960s, but conservation measures allowed it to recover, and it was delisted from the U.S. endangered species list in 1987. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org