Alligators in North Carolina - Carolina Country - Breadcrumb
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Does north carolina have alligators or crocodiles- Alligators | NCpedia
Alligators vs. Crocodiles: 10 Surprising Differences.
Once the ice melts they swim away. It is easy to see how these adaptable creatures have survived for millions of years. The number of alligators in the state and their range is not fully known. For that reason, the NC Wildlife Resources Commission is asking people who see alligators to report their sightings. Photo courtesy of Alligator Alliance. Their primary tool is to educate the public. The couple says they feel very fortunate to be able to observe alligators in the wild in our state and not just in a zoo or an aquarium.
The McNeills remind us that as an indigenous species to North Carolina, alligators play an important role in our ecosystem. When that happens, they lose their natural fear of humans and are often relocated or euthanized. If we all use a common-sense approach, we can co-exist with them.
This means, be aware that any body of water in our coastal regions has the potential to have an alligator in or near it. It also means stay away from them, do not feed or harass them and of course, keep children and pets away from them.
If alligators are left alone they can exist as the wild animals they were intended to be, and we can all continue to enjoy these marvels of nature in their natural habitats.
They have survived for millions of years and this is their home. Even though their numbers have increased, alligators are classified as a threatened species. It is illegal to harass or kill them. Seeing an alligator does not always mean it needs to be removed. Normally, according to wildlife experts, give it time and space and it likely will move on. But, if it is in a place that will cause danger to people, pets or livestock you should call a wildlife officer and let them do the removing.
Cases of alligators in the wrong places at the wrong time often make the news. Two such newsworthy stories in North Carolina include the foot, pound Dare County gator killed when a van hit it in May The van was damaged but drivable, the people in the van unhurt.
It took heavy equipment to remove the dead alligator from the highway. Another story that made the news happened in Swan Quarter, where a man found an eight-foot long alligator in his garage. He did the right thing and called the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, and they sent an officer to remove it and return it to its natural habitat. Why it is important to preserve alligators? Like all things in nature, they are part of the circle of life.
They are important to the ecosystem of the coastal wet lands. They provide food for other species that eat their eggs and hatchlings. Their habit of digging dens into banks, ponds and lake bottoms provide other animals safe havens.
In turn, alligators feed on and control populations of everything from insects to snakes, birds and small mammals. Remember, if you see a wild alligator, watch and photograph it from a distance of at least 60 feet. Follow the safety rules and leave with a great memory.
Share Tweet Share Pin Email. Joyce Compton Brown July 03, reply. Angela Flythe Holt August 20, reply. Ivan Orisek December 29, reply. John McNeill January 05, reply. Carolina Country January 05, reply.
Military on the Move April 11, reply. Susan Pearce September 20, reply. Beach Guy December 11, reply. Select a Different Cooperative. October Table of Contents. Current Issue. Feature Story. July Albert the alligator. Sobek the alligator hatchling. Alligator Safety Tips and Regulations Keep pets on a leash and do not allow them to swim, drink or exercise in or near waters where alligators have been seen. Watch young children closely and never leave them unattended near any body of water. Call to report an alligator near a home, business or disrupting traffic on a public road.
Visit bit. North Carolina is a birding paradise. Get up close to animals in the Piedmont and the mountains. Comments 9. Excellent article. We should keep in mind that alligators, like all moms, are quite defensive of their young. A few atypical creatures, such as the one evicted from a golf course near Kings Mountain , penetrate far into the Piedmont. Escaped pets, including spectacled caimans imported from the tropics, account for some sightings. Alligator populations are greatest in places with restricted human activity, such as military bases and state and federal parks, but the stress of living around the northern limits of their range has limited the animals' survival, growth, and reproduction in North Carolina even in these areas.
Consequently, the species has not responded as well to official protection in North Carolina as in other southern states.
Nevertheless, alligators are useful predators and are believed to help maintain healthy environments for fish and other wildlife in the lakes and ponds they inhabit in particular, by retarding the eutrophication of these bodies of water.
Exactly how far north alligators once ventured is difficult to assess. William Byrd , who traversed the Great Dismal Swamp in , mentioned tales of the species there but did not record direct sightings.
Alligators have left their mark on North Carolina geography, however. Bernard S. Martof and others, Amphibians and Reptiles of the Carolinas and Virginia Image courtesy of Flickr user Travis S.
Does north carolina have alligators or crocodiles.Alligators
Alligators vs. This guide will go over the main differences between crocodiles and alligators. Some of them are downright fascinating! Apex predators in their respective habitats, there are very few animals that have the sheer power to match these living fossils. Увидеть больше to their similar appearance and behavior, many use their names interchangeably.
However, there are some distinct differences between alligators and crocodiles that set them apart. While they can be subtle at a glance, there are many ways to correctly identify an alligator vs.
Both of these reptile giants belong to the Crocodilia order. However, classification gets pretty complex after that. Alligators are part of the Alligatordae family. Meanwhile, crocs belong to the Crocodylidae family. Size can vary between these species. That said, when it comes to alligators vs. The biggest species is the saltwater crocodile. It can reach lengths of about 23 feet, weighing more than a ton in some cases! Alligators are massive, too. The American alligator is the one that most people will encounter.
It can reach lengths of 20 feet at most. But, they rarely get that big, even in captivity. Females are only eight to ten feet long, weighing pounds. Males get to be around does north carolina have alligators or crocodiles feet long and tip the scales at 1, pounds.
American crocodiles are slightly smaller than the average saltwater species. But even still, they are a good four to six feet longer than the American alligator.
Both are pretty scary and certainly powerful enough to take down prey. However, they have noticeably different outlines that cater to their hunting habits. The alligator has a broad snout. Zoologists believe that the broader shape facilitates their preference for crushing objects. Tough targets like turtles are no match for the alligator! They can destroy the shell in one swift bite. Crocodiles have robust jaws and capable snouts, too. But they are a little different in shape.
It starts broad but tapers down to a narrow tip. The snout is V-shaped, creating a more linear-looking silhouette. The V-shaped snout is perfect for thrashing and physical destruction as far as hunting goes. Crocs are more aggressive in their hunting tactics, preferring to rip and shred rather than crush more on this later.
After all, these semi-aquatic animals have pretty similar color patterns. However, paying attention to both the shade of their skin and its distinct patterns can help you learn more about what it is. Generally, crocodiles have a lighter and more varied tone. The exact color will depend on where does north carolina have alligators or crocodiles reptile lives.
Most are usually olive green, tan, or light gray. Mottled or speckled coloration is standard for camouflage. American crocodiles typically have a slate-colored body with yellow or white bellies. The countershading is a unique type of camouflage that helps the creature blend in with the water to prey below.
Alligators are dark green. The skin is slick and shiny. In some lighting conditions, they can appear almost black! Gators living in algae-rich bodies of water may appear slightly greener, but что maryland university of integrative health что are does north carolina have alligators or crocodiles enough to blend in with the muck of river banks.
The dome receptors help the gator regulate water pressure and detect vibrations. Dome receptors are translucent on crocodiles, making them more /20809.txt to see. In the crocodile vs. While their snouts are more pointed, you have to remember that crocs are bigger and heavier.
They have a more muscular jaw, resulting in does north carolina have alligators or crocodiles bite does north carolina have alligators or crocodiles of roughly 3, PSI. For some perspective, most humans use a mere to PSI of bite force when chewing steak! Gators produce about 2, PSI when they bite down! As a whole, crocodiles tend to be stronger than alligators. The reason for that comes down to sheer size and behavior. Crocodiles can be several feet bigger than alligators while weighing nearly twice as much.
Their sheer muscle mass produces more strength compared to a gator. On top of all that, their bite is more lethal. Crocs tend to be a little more violent with their prey, too. They use their muscles to shred flesh and incapacitate animals. As a result, they have to be pretty strong to be where they does north carolina have alligators or crocodiles on the food chain.
Crocodiles have a jaw that closes from the top down. As a result, they have visible teeth on both the top and bottom jaws. The teeth interlock and produce a jagged appearance. With alligators, only the top row of teeth is visible. The entire bottom row of teeth is hidden, as the top jaw creates a slight overbite.
The shape of the teeth is different, too. For crocodiles, the teeth are pointed and jagged. The animal thrashes around to destroy prey. As a result, the teeth are больше информации. On the other hand, alligators have cone-shaped teeth. They offer more crushing power to destroy turtles and other tough does north carolina have alligators or crocodiles.
Both crocodiles does north carolina have alligators or crocodiles alligators are fully capable of being aggressive. These animals are responsible for human deaths, too. But when you look at the statistics for aggressive behavior, crocodiles are much scarier.
These animals are the embodiment of opportunistic eaters. They will go after anything that moves in their area. Hundreds of crocodile attacks are reported every year. Does north carolina have alligators or crocodiles of the most violent species are saltwater crocs near Australia.
Nile crocodiles are known for being pretty aggressive, too. Alligators can attack as well. Ask anyone who lives near water in Florida, and they probably have stories of coming across alligators without immediately realizing it. Expert Tip: Luckily, most alligators will not attack unless provoked or actively protect eggs. As a whole, gators only account for less than six percent of all crocodilian attacks. Alligators are much more tolerant of cold temperatures than crocodiles.
Both animals are cold-blooded and require relatively warm temperatures to thrive. When the temperature dips to uncomfortable levels, the reptiles нажмите сюда dormant. For crocodiles, that dormancy occurs much sooner. Crocs only tolerate temperatures between 85 and 93 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, alligators can stand temperatures as does north carolina have alligators or crocodiles as 79 degrees.
The difference might not seem like much, but that extra tolerance allows the gator to move farther north in colder territories.
Both animals have been on this planet for millions of years, acting as remnants of a turbulent past long gone. All that said, crocodiles are much older. Their ancestry goes back million years to the Jurassic Period, according to fossil records.
The earliest crocodiles were entirely aquatic. As we know them today, Crocodiles can be traced back 70 million years. The earliest ancestors for the alligators are estimated to be about million years ago.
Crocodiles belong to the Crocodylidae family.
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