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Our Class BookOn Life Cycles

Created with help by the 2-3 Grade Class of Parker Street Ministries

Lakeland Florida

THE LAKELAND FLORIDA AMERICAN ALLIGATOR

By Joshua M. Robinson

ELED 3333 70Southeastern University

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Taxonomy Order: CrocodyliaFamily: AlligatoridaeGenus/species: Alligator mississippiensis

Diet Crocodilians are carnivorous. They have very strong jaws that can crack a turtle

shell. They eat fish, snails and other invertebrates, birds, frogs, and mammals that come to the water's edge. They use their sharp teeth to seize and hold prey. Small prey is swallowed whole.

If the prey is large, crocodilians shake it apart into smaller, manageable pieces. If it is very large, crocodilians bite it, then spin on the long axis of their bodies to tear off easily swallowed

pieces.

Life As A Gator

Alligators become dormant during

periods of cold weather, typically

December through March. During

these conditions, they seek shelter in

dens that they excavate under pond banks.

The den is usually underwater, since

the gator’s metabolism and breathing

have slowed such that it may only need

a few breaths of air per day.

THE BABY ALLIGATOR

Mating occurs in April and the female will lay 30 to 50 oblong, white eggs in a mound of mud, stems, stalks and fronds.

Eggs typically hatch in June or July and the baby alligators are often taken to the water, one by one, by the female. They immediately begin feeding, mainly on insects, small fish, and frogs. Hatchlings will grow approximately 6-8 inches per year

Are Alligators and Crocodiles the Same?the

NO!

Interesting Facts About Alligatorsthe

Eggs turn into male or female depending on the temperature! Male usually come out of warmer temperatures and females out of cooler temperatures.

According to scientists, Alligators have been around for millions of years.That’s right! Alligators are as old as dinosaurs!

Alligators can weigh over 1,000 pounds!

Native Americans and Alligatorsthe

The Seminole tribe had a history of hunting alligator for food and would use the skin and bones as materials and trade. They even had a whacky sport of wrestling them!

Safety!the

Lakeland, Floridathe

Lakeland is a beautiful place to live. Thousands of alligators live here and it is our responsibility to respect them for how incredible they are!

Gator Homes In Lakelandthe

Lakeland has 38 named Lakes and many more smaller unnamed lakes. Alligators make their habitat in these lakes and find their way into ponds and sewer systems as well!

In Case of Alligator Emergencythe

Alligators are beautiful animals but they need their space or they will become dangerous! If an alligator is a threat to you and your property call Florida’s gator hotline! 866-FWC-GATOR

In Hollywood, Florida there is a Seminole Okalee Indian Village in which you can watch a live alligator wrestling match between a fierce alligator and a

trained seminole indian. Dont try this at home!

EXPLORE AND LEARN

At the Alligator Farm Zoological Park in St. Augustine you can watch reptile shows and tour alligator lagoons up close with a trained professional!

EXPLORE AND LEARN

Psalms 104:24-28 - How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number - living things both large and small.... These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time,. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.

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Alligators

Alligators are wonderful creatures that display the creativity and provisions of God! How we treat nature reflects how we feel about our creator. We must respect them as they surround us in our hometown!

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THE END

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Citations