American Alligator

The American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is a member of the one of the three families of crocodile-like reptiles, whose members are living fossils from the Age of Reptiles, having survived on earth for 200 million years. However, the alligators can be distinguished from the crocodiles and ghavial by their head shape and color. The crocodiles have a narrower snout, and unlike the alligators, have teeth in their lower jaw which are visible even when the mouth is shut. In addition, adult alligators are black, while crocodiles are brownish in color.

Related Topics:
Families - Crocodile - Reptile - Age of Reptiles - Ghavial

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As with all crocodilians, and the extinct traditional dinosaurs, alligators are of the reptilian branch known as archosaurs. Modern birds are generally viewed at present as living dinosaurs of the maniraptor group. Assuming this is correct, the birds are also archosaurs and thus alligators are far more closely related to birds than they are to lizards, snakes, turtles or the tuatara.

Related Topics:
Archosaurs - Maniraptor

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