American Alligator: Difference between revisions

|appearance=American alligator's color palette is primarily green, with an accent of purple for her eyes. She has a [[Wikipedia:Asymmetric cut| asymmetric cut]] which is longer on the left, a short ponytail, and two greenish braids on the side of her head. The way the hair is cut could be a reference to the real life to scales on the real life American alligator.

Aside from swimming, American alligators can both walk and run. When alligators wish to increase speed, their diagonally opposite limbs move simultaneously move forward. This allows for faster movement, but it also decreases stability. Agile swimmers, the American alligator is an ambush predator. They float on water, submerged with only nostrils and eyes above water to look out for prey. When weather is in extremes, they will also dig holes in the mud to maintain body temperature, called "gator holes." Unlike other reptiles, American alligators do not hibernate during winter, becoming dormant instead. [[http://www.animalspot.net/american-alligator.html 3]] [[http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Alligator_mississippiensis/ 2]].

Once on the verge of extinction, the American alligator has made a remarkable recovery due to strict conservation measures and extensive research. It is no longer endangered, with the exception of scattered populations. Despite this, it is considered threatened as the American alligator is very similar in appearance to the endangered American crocodile. This is put in place to prevent the misconception of the two species by hunters. Hunting is allowed in some states, but is strictly controlled. [[https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/american-alligator 1]]