Hobbies And Interests
Alligators in the Wild
Alligators in the wild are opportunistic, happily eating carrion as well as anything they can catch. Like submarines, they can regulate their buoyancy so they float at any depth they choose. Their preferred method of attack is to lurk underwater, then make a sudden upward lunge toward their prey. Given their size and the element of surprise, they are able to drag even very large animals underwater and hold them there until they drown. Alligators are unable to chew, so they use twisting motions to tear of chunks of flesh, or wait for their prey to soften and decompose.
Natural Diet
The natural diet of alligators is, quite literally, anything they can swallow. Young alligators consume insects, worms, small fish, crawfish and other modest prey. As they grow larger they are capable of catching larger fish, wading birds and small to mid-sized animals. Full-grown alligators have enough jaw strength to bite through a turtle's shell, and can generate enough leverage to pull down a large buck. They even have been observed killing and eating big cats, the area's other major carnivore, making them the "apex" predator within their range.
Alligators and Human Settlement
Alligators and humans come into frequent contact because, like the animals alligators prey upon, humans are attracted to water. In areas where human settlement extends into alligator habitat, alligators are frequent consumers of family pets. Where farms extend into alligator country, livestock are at risk from alligator predation. Chickens, with their habit of flocking together and their inability to fly effectively, fall easy prey to a marauding alligator. Larger animals, such as sheep, cattle and goats, can run fast enough to escape if they evade the initial attack.
Pet Alligators
Pet alligators usually are purchased as babies, and in their first year or two of life are no larger than other popular lizard pets. However, they will live as long as 50 years and can grow to be seven feet or more in size, so they are not a responsibility to accept on a whim. When small, pet alligators may be fed on fish, worms or mice. As they grown, they'll need larger meals of rats, rabbits, chickens or other meats. Some owners advise against commercially-raised chickens, because they are prone to disease. Alligator chow also is available, if needed.