Research Paper On Alligator

The American Alligator helps to maintain a steady balance of energy in the food chain by eating both land mammals, fish, and other reptiles. By doing this, it prevents the dramatic overpopulation of certain organisms. The American Alligator is native to southeastern swamps, rivers, and marshes ranging from South Carolina to eastern Texas. It uses the shallow marshes to help gain strong advantages against it’s prey. The alligator’s color matches the moss covering the water, making it harder for the prey to see the alligator.

In freshwater swamps and marshes, the American Alligator tends to be an independent reptile meaning it does not usually hang around other alligators until mating season. When this occurs, male alligators will group
with
females and protect them for a little while after the hatchling is born.
Male American Alligators breed with over five different females in it’s lifespan. Because of the alligator being independent, the American
Alligator has little to no competition for food and it rests at the top of many freshwater food chains as the tertiary consumer. Alligators have also developed webbed feet and a hard skin to assist them while carrying out certain behaviors (swimming, eating, fighting, etc.). It eats a range of food from turtles to injured mammals hanging by the coastline of the water. In the carbon cycle, it produces both water and carbon dioxide which enters the atmosphere to be processed by plants. Likewise, Alligator feces contain a variety of minerals for decomposers and producers because it receives high amounts of protein from its diet.