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Mississippi State Reptile:
Alligator photo © Louisiana artist Guy Fanguy
American Alligator
Mississippi designated the American Alligator as the official state reptile in 2005. The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is native to the Southeastern United States. Alligator comes from the Spanish "el lagarto" (the lizard). Alligators construct burrows, or "alligator holes" for shelter and hibernation. They are also known to find shelter in swimming pools during the dry months.
Alligators are an important part of their ecosystem - they control the population of prey species, create peat through their nesting activities, and benefit several other species with 'alligator holes' and nests (including the Florida Red-bellied turtle which incubates its own eggs there).
Alligator alligator at the San Diego Wild Animal Park - photo courtesy
Free Public Domain Photo Database: American Alligator
After surviving nearly unchanged since the time of the dinosaurs, and having virtually no natural predators as adults today, alligators were headed for extinction only 20 years ago due to intense hunting from man. Protecting the species and alligator habitats has allowed the status to be changed from endangered to threatened.
A typical male reaches 13-14 feet in length and can weigh over 600 pounds (there are unconfirmed reports of alligators over 16 feet). Immature alligators have yellow cross-bands on a black background for camouflage. Adults can be long and thin or short and stocky.
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State Symbols USA is a nonprofit organization promoting
appreciation for our natural treasures and cultural heritage.
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