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American alligator biology
American alligator biology
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The American Alligator comes from the phylum Chordata and class Reptilia. It is one of the largest reptiles in North America. They have short powerful legs and a long pointed snout. Alligators go over 2,000-3,000 teeth through their lifetime, since 80 teeth have to be in the alligator’s mouth at a time. They grow a foot a year females grow as big as nine feet, while males can be as big as 13-14 feet. They are mostly found in freshwater habitats like rivers, lakes and marshes. It is found in the southeastern of the United States. They are carnivores, they eat snakes, turtles, fish, small mammals. Its hunting is mainly done in the water. According to nature works the alligators swallow small prey as a whole and they drag larger prey underwater
One of the five largest species of snakes in the world is now finding a home in the Florida Everglades. The Burmese python has a dark colored eye-catching patterned skin and is known for its calm and relaxed temperament. Because of the attractiveness of their skin pattern and docile nature, it is one of the large snakes of choice among reptile owners. Unfortunately, these snakes can reach huge lengths and weigh upwards of 200lbs making them difficult to keep. As carnivores, Burmese pythons kept as pets need a diet of small rodents or rabbits. This can get expensive and unsanitary. These non-venomous snakes are tricky to care for and often illegally released into the wild. This dumping, importation for the exotic pet trade, and escaped snakes from Hurricane Andrew is resulting in an established wild population of Burmese pythons in South Florida.
When you think of an ecosystem, you might think of lush forests, or wide oceans, abundant with wildlife. However, the Saguaro desert is unique in its own way. Hidden amongst the 91,446 million acres of this hot, harsh, desert, are a world of organisms that thrive to survive. Located in Arizona, this park’s variety of plant and animal life surpass all other North American deserts. It is divided into two districts, named after the mountain ranges that surround the park; named the Tuscan and Rincon. The saguaro cacti are very important to this ecosystem. In fact, the ecosystem is named after this massive cactus that calls this place its home. One very important organism that lives in the Saguaro desert is the horned lizard.
There are invaders among us, they are not alien or human, but Burmese Pythons. Arguably one of the most beautiful and unique parts of nature remaining in the United States is rapidly being destroyed by the Burmese Python. It has enormously impacted the Everglades in a negative way. The beautiful indigenous animals have quickly disappeared and new predators surface as we dig deeper into the Everglades. This fierce animal is a constrictor, squeezing the life out of its prey. The Pythons tight grip sucks the life out of its prey and swallows it whole. “It sounded like a joke when news reported Burmese Pythons were invading the Everglades in 2000” states USA Today. Pythons are slithering their way through the Florida Everglades with a big appetite and a similar habitat as their original home in Asia. Now, they have marked their territory permanently and there may be nothing scientists can do in order to prevent this issue.
Alden, Peter, Rich Cech, and Gil Nelson. 1998. National Audubon Society Field Guide to Florida. New York: Knopf. 2. Brown, Larry W. 1997.
Within the state of Florida there are dozens of individualized, non-profit organizations making an effort to help the local wildlife. The local land and marine wildlife includes birds, geckos, frogs, snakes, panthers, manatees, sea turtles, fishes, sharks, corals, lizards and many, many more. Florida State is located on the Southeastern tip of the United States providing a unique opportunity for conservation of salt-water animals. While there are animal conservation efforts taking place all over the world, this essay will focus on two animal species that humans are specifically trying to save in Florida State. The two main animal species of focus are manatees and sea turtles.
The manatee has been on the endangered species list since the year. 2001. The 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' This is caused by pollution in the water, power boats, and slow reproductivity. The symbiosis of the symbiosis. As a result, humans are putting an effort into saving these seas.
Duck Hunting has been around since the 17th century and waterfowlers have been passing down the great tradition of waterfowl. Waterfowl or also known as duck hunting has been a growing sport and more and more people are starting to duck hunt around America.
The Florida Manatee’s popular marine species in the tropical environment of Florida are currently considered an “endangered species”. The ecology (the relationships between living organisms and their interactions with their natural or developed environment), for the manatee (trichechus manatus), requires and is generally restricted to the inland and coastal waters of peninsular Florida during the winter, when they shelter in and/or near warm-water springs, heated industrial effluents, and other warm water sites (as stated in Research Gate (1997) Hartman 1979, Lefebvre et al). The Florida (West Indian) Manatee, An Endangered Species, has no known predators other than humans; in the past, humans hunted
In the Everglades there are a variety of different animals and species that seem to be able to thrive in the same habitat. The truth is that due to elevation differences, and therefore differences in the water level, the Everglades is really an area of interconnecting, but different habitats. One of the more important habitat areas is actually created by one of the Everglades most famous inhabitants – the alligator. The alligators move in and out of holes (depressions) in the limestone described above. By doing this they keep this area lower than the rest ...
Retrieved March 20th, 2014 from http://www.wkyc.com/story/news/investigations/2014/02/12/wild-animals-exotic-illegal-dangerous-snakes-lions-bears-alligators/5432701/.
Origin - The Maine Coon is a natural breed, however currently the actual origin of the Main Coon is still underway. The "myth" of the Maine Coon coming about from the mating of raccoon and domestic cat is amongst the most popular. Although this is genetically and scientifically impossible to achieve, it first came about to be believed due to its unique brown raccoon-like markings and big bushy tail. "Maine Shags" were the name given to those that had markings any other color besides the brown coat. Theory of Maine Coons coming about from Viking's bringing these animals over into North America has been one of many popular theories. However, the most common theory is that of Marie Antoinette. Many believe when she tried to escape to North America, but did not succeed, she had left her long-haired cat on board, which then came to North America and bred
Most people believe that all Alligators and crocodiles live in the Everglades region in Florida, as it is a really well-known place for each to reside, but they do not even live next to one another in most instances. The environment that alligators and crocodiles live in is very
American alligators are found through southern United States. Large populations are found in Florida, New Orleans, Louisiana and Georgia. They inhabit primarily fresh water to brackish water areas, although they can occasionally be found in salt water. However, alligators lack the salt-extra...
Lizards belong to the class Reptilian, Scientists have said that Reptiles have been on earth for about 200 million years. Lizards make up the largest group of reptiles with more than 4,300 species around the world varying in different shapes and sizes. Lizards look very similar to salamanders but they differ from each other in many ways such as their dry scaly skin and have clawed feet and external ear opening. The majority of lizard are quite small have 4 legs and have a fragile tail that can regenerate when part of it is taken off. Lizards are cold-blooded or ectoderms, which means that they depend on sources outside their bodies like the sun, to raise and maintain there body temperatures. Eating habits vary for lizards and depend upon the species. Some lizards feed only on insects such as the Iguana. On the other hand some eat rodents that roam deserts and eat eggs and small rodents and some feed on both rodents and insects. For protection many lizards use their teeth to scare predators off. Lizards are found in tropical and subtropical regions within the world. Few species of lizards are found in temperate regions and none are located in arctic areas. Some lizards are terrestrial, arboreal, or semi-aquatic.