Alligators do not hibernate. Typically alligators live in tropical areas so there is no need for them to do so as the places in which they reside are generally warm year round. However on colder days, they have been known to hide in underground or underwater dens until the sun begins to warm things up again.

For alligators in areas where hibernation is necessary, they do not “hibernate” per se. Rather, the process an alligator goes through is known as “brumation” which is somewhat like hibernation, but not really. The alligators do not sleep during this process, they just slow their metabolisms down a great deal, along with the rest of their body organs and hide, becoming inactive and stop eating as they wait for the weather to warm back up so that they can go about their daily routine.

Alligators are cold blooded creatures; therefore they have the ability to live in water as cool as 40 degrees Fahrenheit, although weaker animals would die at such a temperature. Alligators however, may be very active in 40 degree Fahrenheit weather by using behavioral adjustments. This can consist of a number of things including the construction of burrows facing the sun.

Not all alligators use burrows, however it is common for many to do so. Some of the burrows are located in banks and the alligator’s lair is above the water able so it rests in a musty little room. Other alligators may prefer to make their burrow below the water’s surface, however in this case the alligators that use these would have to resurface every now and then for air. These burrows are referred to as alligator holes and are most often used during drought periods. If they dry, the alligator moves to another body of water.

When winter approaches (for those gators who don’t reside in tropical areas) when the temperature drops anywhere below 70 degrees Fahrenheit or so, the creatures generally stop feeding, and as it gets colder begin to dig a den or alligator hole. They stay in this hole and remain dormant until it warms up again.

Alligators have even been known to survive freezing conditions. They have been known to rise to the surface if the water is about to freeze, with their nostrils above the surface. This allows them to breathe through the ice as it forms. In extreme cases, they may get frozen to the surface of the pond for several days and then swim free once the ice melts.

Many people are under the impression that alligators attack humans all of the time. Although it is true that alligator attacks on humans have occurred from time to time, as a general rule alligators do not typically attack humans unless provoked in some way first. Crocodiles on the other hand are a different story and will attack whatever they see moving with no need to be provoked.

The alligator is a primitive and unpredictable predator and it is for this reason that it is best to avoid them at all costs. There is evidence that alligators are able and willing under some circumstances to utilize human victims for food. The facts surrounding serious reported attacks in places such as Florida have suggested that in every case where it was possible to ascertain, that the victim was unaware of the alligator’s presence until the last minute, or until the creature had actually emerged to attack. In every case, the victim was usually stalked first by the animal, which suggests that the aggression the animal was exhibiting was hunger motivated. Yet, when one considers thousands of contacts between alligators and humans that occur each day without incident, it would appear that such behavior is actually extremely rare.

Individuals should never offer and alligator food. This is the number one mistake many people make that ends up resulting in an attack. Food habit studies have demonstrated that alligators are largely fish eaters but that a significant number of amphibians, birds and small mammals also appear within their diets. There is little evidence to suggest that alligators consume animals as large as humans on a regular basis. However, they are opportunistic and will take whatever they are capable of catching if they are hungry enough and find it in their habitat.

It is not uncommon for an alligator to eat a calf on a ranch or dogs of all sizes. They have been observed to eat swine and large goats as well. Humans obviously fall into a prey-size class that very large alligators are capable of consuming when looking at these sorts of facts. Analysis of information suggests that younger and/or smaller humans may be more likely to be a target.

Female alligators do on occasion defend their nests from intruders and may behave defensively when they feel that they are being threatened in any way or that their young are being disturbed. However a small percentage of females that appear to show a defense that is generally short lived. Females may provide warnings before attacking that go along with an obvious display of defensive behavior. Alligator’s in this case may be found gaping their mouths or hissing.

Aggressive displays by male alligators are generally less common and are also much harder to categorize. Large males have been seen to assume an apparently defensive posture against low-flying helicopters and sometimes will inflate their bodies with their tails arched out of the water in an aggressive display when small boats approach them.

While it generally requires some kind of provocation for an alligator to attack a human, it is better to stay clear of areas where alligators are known to roam. If living in areas where the creatures are known to be, fences should be higher than 5 feet tall to protect children and household pets, and to keep the alligators from entering your yard.

Based on scientist’s experience of capturing animals for research purposes and running managed hunts, it has become apparent that alligators do become very wary and aggressive when they are being harassed in some way. Alligators that do not show fear of humans are the ones you really have to watch out for as they are more likely to attack. One of the main reasons an individual should never feed an alligator is because it will generally make the animal no longer fear humans and they will start to associate humans with food and an attack becomes more likely in this case.

Large alligators that are fed by people on a regular basis around fishing camps, lakes, etc. are far more dangerous as they show little to no fear of humans. In conclusion, alligators are dangerous animals and precautions should be taken in every case. Feeding alligators, making them feel threatened or in danger, etc. are all potential contributing factors of an attack occurring.

Although alligators cannot breathe underwater, they are able to hold their breath for long periods of time while submerged. Usually these creatures are able to hold their breath anywhere from 4 to 15 minutes; however they have been known to remain underwater for longer periods of time if necessary. The longest time an alligator has been known to hold its breath varies from 30 minutes to 2 hours. It has been suggested that they may even be able to hold their breath for longer than an hour or two if needed.

Typically when an alligator goes underwater it does so by submerging itself in the water or sinking to the bottom of the water. Afterwards they generally hold their breath and remain there for 10-15 minutes. When an alligator submerges itself, a flap that the creature is equipped with automatically closes off the alligator’s ears and nostrils.

Another flap closes off the back of the alligator’s throat. This flap blocks water so that it does not enter the creature’s stomach and/or lungs. The alligator also has transparent eyelids that cover its eyes so that they can see under water. When an alligator is not active or when the weather is colder, alligators are able to hold their breath even longer. This enables them to wait for prey to come to them before they even realize that the gator is there.

Contrary to the belief that many have thought was a myth, it is true that alligators are in fact able to climb fences. Alligators have sharp claws and powerful tails that enable them to push their bodies up. Young alligators are agile climbers and adult alligators have even been known to climb fences in order to get to water or escape captivity.

It is for these reasons that low fences are not sufficient protection for pets or children in areas where alligators may be present. It is recommended that fences be more than 4.5′ tall if you are attempting to keep alligators out of your yard. Anything lower than 4.5 feet the alligator will most likely be able to climb over quickly and with ease.

Like most other animals, alligators do have tongues. Their tongues are generally broader than a crocodile’s tongue. Their tongues also help them swallow their prey whole.

Alligators have a U shaped snout. Their upper and lower jaws overlap this snout. The alligator’s lower teeth are mostly hidden when their mouths are closed and fit into sockets located within the upper jaw. Alligators and crocodiles both have salt glands located on their tongues. However the alligator’s salt glands are not functional and their sensory pits are located only near their jaws.

Crocodiles on the other hand have a V shaped snout that is longer. Their upper jaw is about the same size as the lower jaw and their lower teeth are displayed outside the upper jaw when the mouth is closed. Their upper teeth display outside the lower jaw. Their salt glands are located on their tongues and excrete excess salt, their sensory pits are located over most of their bodies.

Alligators do make noises. The best way to describe these noises is a rumbling bellow or a deep growl, almost resembling an echo. Alligator’s may use these types of noises when they feel threatened or are acting aggressively to try and protect themselves or their young. If they feel that a human or predator is intruding upon their territory or if they get too close to a nest, the alligator may sound a growl or a bellow, as well as hiss and exhibit a number of aggressive behaviors to go along with the noise.

In addition to these types of noises made, alligators when they are young and ready to hatch, are known to emit a high pitched croaking noise that is often referred to or described as a “yerp”. This yerping sound stimulates the eggs of other hatchlings. In which case all hatchlings begin the yerping and it signals the mother alligator that they are ready to hatch. The mother alligator then quickly digs them out to help them hatch.

Alligators are able to jump out of the water. They have extremely strong tails that help them swim as well as push themselves upward with that and their sharp claws. Furthermore, an alligator’s tail acts as a propeller and enables them to reach heights equal to its body length out of the water.

In addition to jumping out of the water, these creatures are pretty fast runners and can reach speeds up to 15 miles per hour, however they can only run approximately 30 yards at that pace due to lactic acid build up. So it is true, alligators can run, climb and yes even jump out of water.

All reptiles including alligators shed their skin in some way, shape, or form. While snakes are known to shed all of their skin off at once, and lizards will shed in patches as they grow, the alligator and crocodile’s skins are scaly and often will come off in individual scales instead.

Therefore, while alligators shed their skin like other animals do, their “molting” process is much different from other reptiles. Just like most animals including mammals, a healthy alligator will continue to shed its scales regularly, and may even be seen rubbing up against trees and rocks to assist the creature in rubbing off the dead skin.

As alligators shed their scales, newer, larger, and denser scales are formed. This process continues as an alligator grows in age and size. As a result, an alligator’s skin becomes incredibly strong and dense which makes it resistant to the abuse that would tear or scar the skin or most mammals. Due to this occurrence, it has been falsely stated or theorized by some that an alligator’s skin is “bulletproof”. While not bullet proof, alligator leather is extremely durable and because of this it unfortunately makes it a popular leather to use in products and upholstery where dense yet attractive leather is “needed”.

Contrary to what some people may believe, it is true that alligators are able to move in a backwards motion. In fact they are able to move in reverse quite well, both in water and on land.

It should be noted that these creatures are able to walk backwards, however they are not able to do so without their bellies dragging on the ground.