Alligators

Alligators are large, freshwater reptiles belonging to the crocodilian family. They have broad, U-shaped snouts and are primarily found in the southeastern United States and China. Alligators are excellent swimmers, using their muscular tails and webbed feet to move through water, and they often bask on riverbanks or lakeshores. They are carnivorous, feeding on fish, birds, and mammals. As ambush predators, they wait quietly for prey to come close. Alligators play vital ecological roles by maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems. They are generally less aggressive toward humans than some crocodilian relatives but can bite if threatened.