Chinese Alligator

Facts about Chinese alligators. "Scientific name for Chinese alligator is Alligator sinensis". The Chinese alligator one of the two breeding alligators belongs to the genus in the family Alligatoridae and is native to the areas of eastern China. The Chinese alligator is considered the most docile of the crocodilian order and has similarities in appearance with the only other breeding member in the same genus. However, the two breeding species have some few differences. The Chinese alligator can develop to maximum lengths of approximately five feet (1.52 meters) with weights of about eighty pounds (36.3 kg). In some few cases, the male species can grow up to lengths of seven feet (2.13 meters) with weights of up to one hundred pounds (45.3 kg) and rarely ten feet (3.04 meters). In comparison to the American alligator, the Chinese alligator is entirely armored including its underneath body parts.

The Chinese alligator can be found inhabiting in the temperate, subtropical regions. The Chinese alligator previously lived in the areas of freshwater sources and low-elevation regions. The areas included the lakes, marshes, ponds and streams. Due to the biodiversity found within the alligator, their areas of considerations are the wetlands.

The Chinese alligator existence naturally extended through several parts of China. However, in 1950s, the alligator was located in the southern regions of Changjang River from Pengze to the shore in the west of Lake Taihu which is located in the mountainous areas of southern Anhui and the provinces of Zheijang and Jiangsu. The Chinese alligator was found inhabiting the lakes, streams and marshes found in the regions. However, around 1970s, the Chinese alligator was bounded to a smaller region of the Zheijang provinces and southern Anhui. In the year 1998 the Chinese alligators range was reduced by ninety percent leaving only eleven alligators in the small ponds created along the Yangtze River which is enclosed by farmland.

The Chinese alligator can live in burrows made into wetlands which allow it to be able to stay dormant during winter periods. However, during springs, the burrows aren’t used as much, the Chinese alligator can spend most of its time in the sun in order to raise its body temperature the Chinese alligator is capable of maintaining its body temperatures by moving into the sun once it feels cold, moving into the shade when the heat becomes intense and by using the water. It is important to note that, once the Chinese alligator’s body heat is high enough it can become nocturnal.

The Chinese alligator is usually solitary. However, the Chinese alligator can take part in bellowing choruses during its mating season which occurs in spring. Both sexes take part in a rough unison, remaining still during the chorus. The chorus can last for approximately ten minutes of stimulation providing enough respond to the choruses of both sexes and in an equally manner. It is important to note that the chorus is not a mating competition but a way for mating groups to come together in a group. Upon gathering of the mating groups, the male Chinese alligator species only impregnate an individual female for each breeding. The Chinese alligator’s mating usually results to a maximum of about twenty to thirty eggs. However, the egg produced by the Chinese alligator is usually the smallest compared to those produced by other crocodile species in the crocodilian family.