Gator Gazer LbNA #12145 (ARCHIVED)
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Add Location| Owner: | Adoptable |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Nov 13, 2004 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Humble |
| County: | Harris |
| State: | Texas |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Planted by: | Hawk  |
|---|---|
| Found by: | TX AF Family |
| Last found: | Aug 15, 2007 |
| Status: | FFFFFaaaFa |
| Last edited: | Nov 13, 2004 |
Alive and well 19 FEB 2005.
AMERICAN ALLIGATOR
Class: Reptilia, Order: Crocodylia, Family: Crocodylidae
Genus, species: Alligator (derived from el lagarto--the lizard), mississippiensis (belonging to the Mississippi River)
Alligators were formerly an endangered species, but now are a protected game animal in Texas. Alligators are the largest reptile in North America and can reach up to 18 feet in length, although the average is 13 feet. The tail accounts for half of length. They weigh from 450 to 600 pounds and can live 35 to 50 years in the wild and 60 to 80 years in captivity.
Females are territorial and will guard and defend their nests. The temperature of the nest determines the sex of the young. If the nest is below 30 degrees Celsius (86 F) all are female; above 34 degrees Celsius (93 F) all are male and the temperature in between will produce both sexes. When the young hatch, they peep and the mother helps the hatchlings out of the nest and carries them in her mouth to the water.Unlike other reptiles, female alligators will protect young for up to two years after hatching.
Alligators can survive freezing conditions if they are in water. They submerge their body but keep their nostrils projecting above the water surface, so that when the surface freezes they can still breathe (called the "icing response"). Essentially their upper body becomes trapped in the ice.
ALLIGATORS:
Can be traced back 230 million years.
Grow one foot per year for the first six years.
Are one of the most vocal species of reptiles. They grumble, roar, bark, bellow, grunt, or hiss.
Are usually solitary animals.
Have approximately 80 teeth.
Replace teeth and can go through 2,000 to 3,000 teeth in a lifetime.
Will eat anything it can catch.
Cannot swallow underwater.
Cannot chew, so they swallow their food whole or in chunks.
Eat 20 lbs per week in hot weather, but no food during the winter.
Can stay underwater 45-60 minutes.
Have good binocular vision.
Open their mouth to help keep warm.
Can tolerate some salt water .
Construct "gator holes" with their tails that retain water during periods of drought.
Construct burrows for shelter and hibernation.
Often return to their home range within a matter of days if relocated.
***************************
This microbox is part of my "Texans to Avoid" series and is located in Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Drive, near Humble, Texas. The park is located north of FM 1960 between I-45 and US 59. Admission is free. Bicycles are allowed on most trails on Sundays only. Be sure to obtain a park map from the Nature Center before looking for this microbox. After finding the box, please replace it as found and make sure that it is not visible from the trails. I would appreciate an email letting me know the status of the box when you find it.
To find the box:
Go north on Spring Creek Trail until you arrive at a wide place in the trail and the trail splits. You will be near the river. At the split in the trail, look to your right and find a fallen tree a few paces from the trail. The box is near the right end of the fallen tree, on the back side, under a large piece of bark.
AMERICAN ALLIGATOR
Class: Reptilia, Order: Crocodylia, Family: Crocodylidae
Genus, species: Alligator (derived from el lagarto--the lizard), mississippiensis (belonging to the Mississippi River)
Alligators were formerly an endangered species, but now are a protected game animal in Texas. Alligators are the largest reptile in North America and can reach up to 18 feet in length, although the average is 13 feet. The tail accounts for half of length. They weigh from 450 to 600 pounds and can live 35 to 50 years in the wild and 60 to 80 years in captivity.
Females are territorial and will guard and defend their nests. The temperature of the nest determines the sex of the young. If the nest is below 30 degrees Celsius (86 F) all are female; above 34 degrees Celsius (93 F) all are male and the temperature in between will produce both sexes. When the young hatch, they peep and the mother helps the hatchlings out of the nest and carries them in her mouth to the water.Unlike other reptiles, female alligators will protect young for up to two years after hatching.
Alligators can survive freezing conditions if they are in water. They submerge their body but keep their nostrils projecting above the water surface, so that when the surface freezes they can still breathe (called the "icing response"). Essentially their upper body becomes trapped in the ice.
ALLIGATORS:
Can be traced back 230 million years.
Grow one foot per year for the first six years.
Are one of the most vocal species of reptiles. They grumble, roar, bark, bellow, grunt, or hiss.
Are usually solitary animals.
Have approximately 80 teeth.
Replace teeth and can go through 2,000 to 3,000 teeth in a lifetime.
Will eat anything it can catch.
Cannot swallow underwater.
Cannot chew, so they swallow their food whole or in chunks.
Eat 20 lbs per week in hot weather, but no food during the winter.
Can stay underwater 45-60 minutes.
Have good binocular vision.
Open their mouth to help keep warm.
Can tolerate some salt water .
Construct "gator holes" with their tails that retain water during periods of drought.
Construct burrows for shelter and hibernation.
Often return to their home range within a matter of days if relocated.
***************************
This microbox is part of my "Texans to Avoid" series and is located in Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Drive, near Humble, Texas. The park is located north of FM 1960 between I-45 and US 59. Admission is free. Bicycles are allowed on most trails on Sundays only. Be sure to obtain a park map from the Nature Center before looking for this microbox. After finding the box, please replace it as found and make sure that it is not visible from the trails. I would appreciate an email letting me know the status of the box when you find it.
To find the box:
Go north on Spring Creek Trail until you arrive at a wide place in the trail and the trail splits. You will be near the river. At the split in the trail, look to your right and find a fallen tree a few paces from the trail. The box is near the right end of the fallen tree, on the back side, under a large piece of bark.