Scientific Name: Alligator mississippiensis

Habitat: Swamps and lakes of the southeastern United States

Food: Fish, frogs, snakes, water birds, mammals

Facts: The American alligator population declined significantly in the last century
 due to hunting and habitat destruction. Alligator hides were used extensively in making
shoes, purses, and wallets. In 1969, the alligator became a protected species.

The alligator's eyes, nostrils, and ears are on the top of its head. This allows the
alligator to see, breathe, and hear while the rest of its body is completely under water.