"American Alligators" Top 5 Page for this destination Florida Warnings Or Dangers Tip by traveldave

American alligators are one of only two species of alligator in the world (the other is the Chinese alligator). They are native to the southeastern United States, as well as along the Gulf Coast to Texas. Alligators live in wetlands and swamps throughout their range, but recently have started to appear in irrigation canals and ponds in parks, golf courses, and other places close to human habitation.

The average size of adult alligators is between 13 and 18 feet (four and five meters), although one attained the length of 19 feet (six meters). And the average weight of adults is between 400 and 600 pounds (181 and 272 kilograms). Because of their size, they are very powerful and can inflict serious injury or death.

Most alligators fear and avoid humans. However, alligator attacks are frequent enough so that visitors to Florida and other states within the range of alligators should exercize caution while in or near water. Most alligator attacks are not fatal, but injuries are usually severe due to the alligator's sharp teeth and strong jaws. Their jaws can exert 1,000 pounds of pressure per square inch (70 kilograms per square centimeter). There were only nine fatal alligator attacks from the 1970s through the 1990s, but the number of fatalities has been increasing substantially recently due to the alligators encroaching into human-populated areas.