October 20, 2009 by JackHarvey •

SeaWorld San Antonio is a huge place; it’s one of the largest marine parks in the entire world. It’s way too big to see in an entire day, so I’m guessing there are  some of you who miss certain parts when you’re visiting or maybe  you don’t know a lot about what you’re seeing. I’m going to dedicate my next few blogs to some of these hidden places or interesting animals that you may not know a whole lot about.

Alligator Alley sits in the middle of the park between the Sea Star Theatre, Shamu’s Happy Harbor, Mango Joe’s Café, and Ski Lake. It’s home to 19 American alligators, several turtles and a few species of fish, including Japanese koi and bluegill.

American alligators can be found throughout the southeastern part of the United States in just about any freshwater area. They’re a top predator in most lake, river, stream, swamp or bayou ecosystems eating everything from fish to birds to small mammals.  As cold-blooded animals, their growth depends on their environment with warmer temperatures and more food meaning higher metabolism and faster growth. A full-size male alligator can  reach lengths of 4-4.5 m. (13.1-14.8 ft.) and weigh 180-228 kg (400-500 lbs.) The longest alligator ever recorded measured 5.72 m (19.2 ft.) and the largest males may way over 454 kg (1,000 lbs.). Here are a few more cool facts about the American alligator:

• Females will lay 20-50 eggs in a large nest and protect it at all cost. The incubation temperature of the eggs determine the sex of the offspring with temperatures below 30° C (86° F) will produce mostly female young and nests with temperatures over 34° C (93° F) will produce mostly males. Nests kept between these two temperatures will produce similar numbers of both sexes.
• The American Alligator is considered threatened due to the similarity in appearance to the endangered American crocodile. The American alligator was once endangered but through extensive conservation efforts, their numbers have increased. They are one of the few animals to be downgraded from endangered to threatened.
• Although they look similar, alligators are different than crocodiles.  Alligators are dark colored with a broad, rounded snout and are usually found in fresh water. Crocodiles are grayish-green and prefer coastal, brackish and salt-water habitats. They have a narrow, tapered, triangular snout. Also, the fourth tooth on either side of the lower jaw of an alligator fits into an internal socket in the upper jaw so that these teeth are hidden when the mouth is closed. In a crocodile, the fourth tooth is always exposed.

If there are other exhibits in the park you’d like to know about, let me know and I’ll dig up some good facts about them too.

Thanks and Gig ‘em

Jack

Related posts:

1. Hidden Gems – Water Ski Lake
2. Hidden Gems – Flamingo Exhibit
3. Animal Connections Reservations Center: Meet Padre the Spoonbill!
4. SeaWorld Knows How to Keep It Cool

Tags: Alligator, Alligator Alley, animals, exhibits, hidden gems, koi

Posted in Around the Park, animals, conservation