6 Cool Facts about Alligators

There are no shortages of alligators at Tara in the summer, with some reaching lengths of up to 13 feet. They can be observed sunbathing around the shores of lakes and ponds or pushing their heads above the water.

There are some amazing things about this native animal species. We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite amazing alligator facts.

1. The name alligator comes from the Spanish words el Lagarto, which means “the lizard,” which was the name given to these species by Spanish explorers. The American alligator is one of only two species of real alligators; the Chinese alligator is the other.

2. Alligators are one of the few animals that haven’t changed much since prehistoric times. When the dinosaurs went extinct, these modern-day counterparts thrived.

3. In 1987, the alligator was designated as Florida’s official state reptile. The University of Florida at Gainesville uses it as its mascot.

4. Although communicating territory in the water is challenging, many crocodilians have mastered it. Above or below the sea, most animals use a head slap or jaw clap. A head slap is when a crocodilian raises its head and slams it against the water’s surface. Jawclaps occur when a reptile opens its jaw…