Agile Alligators
If you have been keeping up with the news lately, you are undoubtedly aware of the recent alligator attacks in Florida. Fortunately, these regrettable attacks aren't as prevalent as the recent rate would seem to indicate. Previous records show there have been only 17 alligator-related deaths in Florida since 1948. Nevertheless, this reptile should never be taken lightly as its jaw of 74-80 teeth can generate up to 2000 pounds per square inch of biting pressure!
The formal name for the American alligator is alligator mississippiensis which comes from mississippi (as in the Mississippi River) and ensis (meaning "belonging to"). These reptiles are typically found in the southeastern United States, with a range as far north as North Carolina, as far west as Texas, and as far south as Florida. The alligator became the official reptile for the state of Florida in 1987. This seems appropriate since this once almost extinct animal has now reached a population of over a million in Florida alone.
Like other reptiles, God designed alligators to be ectothermic, which means that this animal maintains its body temperature by absorbing heat and controlling its body temperature from outside environmental sources like sun, shade, and water. Essentially, the alligator becomes the same temperature as its surroundings. The alligator was also designed to live in water, and was created with the ability to close its ears, nostrils, and a special valve in the back of its throat so it can open its mouth under water without drowning. This valve makes it possible for the alligator to hunt fish, its favorite staple food. Its mostly seafood diet allows the alligator to grow up to a foot per year.
Another amazing design feature of the alligator is its unique eye. God not only designed the eye with a binocular style of vision, but He also equipped the alligator's eye with its own built-in pair of swimming goggles called the nictitating membrane. This membrane is like a second clear eyelid that magnifies underwater vision when the alligator is submerged.
If the alligator's powerful jaw isn't intimidating enough for you, let's take a closer look at the other end and see how its incredible tail performs like a powerful outboard engine. The alligator's brawny tail in conjunction with its webbed feet enables it to swim up to speeds of 25-30 miles per hour!
Statistically speaking, alligators face very difficult odds in their early years. Most of the 30-70 eggs laid by mother alligators don't stand much of a chance of surviving as only 50% actually hatch. To make matters worse, of those baby alligators that do hatch, 80% of them fall prey to predators in the first two years of their lives. Once the surviving alligators get past this perilous phase of life, they typically live 55-60 years on average and reach a length of 13 to 15 feet. Females typically weigh 160-200 pounds while males can reach between 400-500 pounds. According to our research, the largest alligator ever recorded measured 19 feet 2 inches and was found in Louisiana (for you Guinness Book of World Records types).
Incidentally, Creatures of Creation has three growing alligators - Auggie, which is 7 feet long', and Ramma and Joe (which are 4 feet and 1 foot long respectively). Auggie is the most "famous" of the bunch as he has appeared in front of many crowds and has been featured in several magazine and newspaper articles. Fortunately, the notoriety hasn't gone to his powerful head.
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