Barry Guinn, age 9, of Meridian, Miss., for his question:
HOW LONG IS AN ALLIGATOR?
Alligators in the past grew to be 18 feet long or longer. At present, however, few can be found that have reached even a length of 12 feet long.
Male alligators from 11 to 12 feet long weigh from 450 to 550 pounds. Females rarely reach more than nine feet in length. They usually weigh about 150 pounds.
Alligator is a name of two kinds of reptiles, both of which are related to crocodiles. The American alligator lives in the waters and lowlands of southeastern United States. The Chinese alligator is much like the American alligator in its habits and appearance. It lives in the lower Yangtze River Valley in China.
Other closely related reptiles are the caymans of Central and South America. Caymans are often called alligators.
In their shape, alligators resemble lizards but they have thicker bodies and tails than most lizards. Alligators' jaws are set with many sharp teeth. Their eyes seem to stick up above their skulls so that they can see above the water while their bodies are beneath it.
Alligators use their short, strong legs for walking. They swim by moving their tails from side to side
The skin of alligators is extremely tough. When grown, the American alligator is dull gray and dark green in color. A young American alligator has yellow marks across its body, but these fade after a time.
When made into leather, the hide of an alligator is handsome and long lasting. For this reason, it once was made into handbags, ladies' shoes and other articles. Since 1973, however, killing alligators for commercial purposes has been prohibited by law.
A female alligator makes her nest of grass and other plants, which she forms into a pile about three feet high and seven feet across. She usually lays about 50 eggs.
An alligator's eggs are white, hard shelled and slightly larger than hens' eggs. The female guards her eggs from enemies and when they first hatch, the young alligators are about nine inches long. Many remain with their mother until the following spring.
During the first six years of their lives, both males and females grow about one foot in length each year. After this time, the females grow more slowly. But the males continue to grow at the same rate for several years more.
Alligators in the wilds probably live 50 to 60 years.
In winter, alligators bury themselves in mud, go into deep holes or remain resting under water. Adult male alligators often bellow loudly. Also, they give off a musky odor from glands in their heads.
Alligators eat many kinds of small animals that live in or near the water, including fish, snakes, turtles, frogs and small mammals. Large males sometimes attack dogs, pigs or even cattle. They drag these animals under water to drown them, and then tear them to pieces. Fortunately, even the largest alligators rarely attack human beings.