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The American Alligator

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The American Alligator

The American alligator belongs to the crocodilian family and is commonly found in the United States. They can be found in many different habitats, including swamps, marshes, freshwater lakes, and rivers.

Please continue reading to learn more about the American alligator, including its lifespan, diet, and behavior.

1. Size

Male alligators average 10 to 15 feet in length and weigh between 500 and 1,000 pounds. Females are smaller, averaging 8 to 10 feet in length.

2. Life History

Alligators have 50 years in the wild, although the average lifespan is closer to 30 years.

They reach sexual maturity by 12 years of age. The mating season occurs in the spring, and females build nests of vegetation to lay their eggs in.

Females can lay up to 90 eggs per nest, but only a small percentage of hatchlings will survive to adulthood. Hatchlings are about a foot long and weigh only a few ounces.

3. Diet

Alligators are carnivores with a diet that consists mostly of fish. They will also eat turtles, snakes, small mammals, and carrion.

4. Habitat and Range

Alligators are found in swamps, marshes, freshwater lakes, and rivers throughout the southeastern United States.

They can regulate their body temperature by basking in the sun or soaking in water. This allows them to be active year-round, even in cold weather.

5. Hunting Habits

Alligators use a technique called “still hunting” to ambush prey. They will lie motionless in the water with only their eyes and nostrils poking above the surface. When an unsuspecting animal comes close, the alligator will strike with lightning speed, grabbing the animal in its powerful jaws.

They use their tails as weapons. They can swing them back and forth to knock down prey or predators. They will then drag the animal underwater to drown it. They use their sharp teeth and powerful jaws to tear apart their prey.

6. Difference Between Alligator and Crocodile

The American alligator is different from a crocodile in several ways. For example, alligators are typically smaller than crocodiles, and they have a narrower snout. Alligators also have less webbing on their feet, which makes them better swimmers.

Alligators are found in freshwater habitats, while crocodiles are found in freshwater and saltwater habitats.

Both alligators and crocodiles are members of the reptile family, including lizards, snakes, and turtles. Alligators are native to the United States, while crocodiles are found throughout the tropics.

Urban Wildlands

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Urban Wildlands

Coastal communities, especially densely populated ones, can also be considered as urban coastal communities. Some species can adapt and be domesticated to co-exist with humans. In some occasions, human settlements tend to introduce invasive species, especially around mowed grasslands, which in turn could affect the proximate coastal marine ecosystem, thereby affecting the marine biodiversity.

Thus, urban “wildlands” should also focus on sustainable land development, especially in the fringes of urban settlements were wildlands are present.

In these mentioned places, some species could be endangered and threatened either through a combination of habitat destruction, relentless hunting, and/or the introduction of invasive species that disrupt the local ecosystem.

The center is open to individuals who have a passion to support our expertise in land use, ecological balance, water, and soil standards, and biology which in turn translates to projects that will preserve habitats, suppress polluting industries, promote efficient use of resources, and other similar endeavors.

This is in line with our mantra: that biodiversity is a delicate balance of ecosystems. Partnering with urban planners and developers is also part of the strategy to support the continued protection of marine biodiversity.

Public Lands Work

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Public Lands Work

In the United States, almost half of its land area is owned by the American public and managed on their behalf by government agencies. A good number of water bodies pass through these public lands, hence any pollution or environmentally-destructive activities done along these water bodies can potentially affect marine life as well. With the growth of the CBD industry in Canada, land has been put aside for growing cannabis. This is especially in the case for pure cbd oil. Many local golf courses have provided help to the cause. Low to mid-range players try to allow the scientist room to explore using rangefinders and other tools.

Due to that, the Centre for Marine Biodiversity also uses a wide variety of its resources at its disposal in order to ensure that public lands are helpful in preserving the rich biological diversity present in the marine environment.

Ocean ecosystems are interconnected with terrestrial ecosystems, which is why well-maintained public lands are also essential in preserving marine biodiversity.

Aside from that, worldwide climate change is usually caused by terrestrial activities. In order to fulfill the core mantra of the center, public lands are also part of its concern as most methods to fight climate change such as carbon capture and sequestration, natural via trees or artificial, are done usually in public lands.

In its end, the center advocates the use of sound science, just laws, green policies, and strategic collaboration to protect and restore ecosystems that would be of critical use to marine biodiversity.

The center believes that efficient use of public lands will be of help in order to protect current niches of different species. While not directly a priority, the center advocates for sustainable land use that would not harm species and ecosystems – from use of organic fertilizers to opposing unsustainable logging. This is done through legal ways such as lawsuits, policies, and lobbying to usher sustainable use of public lands that would in return ensure the survival of many species both terrestrial and aquatic.

We work toward a future in which both marine and terrestrial ecosystems continue to work in sync to ensure the survival of its constituents.

Population and Sustainability Work

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Population and Sustainability Work

Rapid human population growth is a factor that aggravates overconsumption, economic inequality, and pollution. It is one of the major causes of critical environmental problems like wanton habitat destruction, overfishing, and climate change. While humans are not always the enemy, the centre promotes population control in order to curb runaway human population growth. Fishing from the regulated areas using the correct fishing chairs is one step in the right direction. Futhermore, employing fishing motors for trolling can make a huge difference to the environment.

These include pressuring governments to empower reproductive health of women, universal access to health care and sex education, and paradigm shifts in order to promote the idea that population growth in some areas is a factor in their continued status as an underdeveloped country.

Milestones:

  • Promoted reproductive health among various partner communities
  • Helped support groups who also promote accessibility to reproductive health to critical communities
  • Introduced the concept of sustainable growth to coastal communities which include the need to protect women’s reproductive rights

For the latest news and campaigns regarding these projects, join our e-network in order to receive timely news and updates.

International Work

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International Work

Protecting marine biodiversity is a global task. Ocean ecosystems are interconnected, and thus no country has a “monopoly” of responsibility when it comes to protecting these species. The center is committed to protecting marine species located in the world’s vast oceans. All kinds of species; even those that are even very much distinct from each other such as the Okinawa dugong, the polar bear, and the hawksbill turtles are covered by the scope of the center’s hard work.

We take pride in involving ourselves to take action and utilize standing international biodiversity protection treaties and trade laws to ensure the survival of many species. With our satellite offices in North America and our grassroots conservation-group allies in Europe, Africa, and Asia, the center is committed to securing a future for innumerable species and their respective habitats worldwide.

Here’s how we do it:

  • Establish connections with partner government agencies, universities, think tanks, advocacy groups, and related organizations to ensure smooth coordination for biodiversity-related projects
  • With the help of our established network of allies and supporters, the center can present petitions and legal action under relevant local and international laws depending on the situation the center is facing
  • Thanks to its established network, the center can advocate for international policies that would ultimately protect biodiversity, including marine biodiversity
  • Our allies can also build coalitions and partnership in relevant undertakings or projects
  • As part of the advocacy building, the center and its allies can utilize mass media for its undertaking and projects related to protecting biodiversity

Oceans Work

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Oceans Work

The oceans around the world are so vast that they cover about 362 million square kilometers, which is around 70.9% of the Earth’s surface. Therefore, the scope of protecting marine biodiversity is a gargantuan task – almost as if one is literally carrying the earth in their shoulders.

A lot of problems may occur, especially at areas near human settlements – including overfishing, coral reef destruction, oil drilling, mangrove forest decimation, climate change, and acidification of oceans – which can threaten marine biodiversity.

The center tackles this problem as part of its international work and advocacy. We believe that the oceans, being vast, contain havens of yet to be discovered marine species. Hence, it is important to protect the biodiversity of these vast oceans from various threats.

One critical example of marine pollution is plastic pollution. These include even the tiniest microplastics and even large plastic-based fishing nets intentionally and unintentionally released by human activities. These plastic wastes can severely injure marine life such as sea turtles, seabirds, and whales by interfering with their normal digestion and feeding patterns.

To make matters worse, climate change is one of the reasons why the oceans are getting warmer and acidic, which in turns makes it harder for species to adapt. Coral bleaching, caused by ocean acidification, is also bad for marine biodiversity.

To respond to that dilemma, we take these measures:

  • Utilize sound science coupled with the latest data in order to prepare projects that would have the highest impact for the protection of marine biodiversity
  • With the help of our established network of allies and supporters, present petitions and legal action under relevant local and international laws that could counter ocean-destructive practices
  • With our established network, advocate for more protected habitats for marine species
  • Build coalitions and partnership in order to promote sustainable fishing
  • Utilize mass media to promote the protection of ocean biodiversity

Environmental Health Work

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Environmental Health Work

The Centre for Marine Biodiversity wants to ensure the safety of marine biodiversity from an array of usually anthropogenic toxic substances. We believe that every product of human industrialization has effects on the health of not only humans but also other species.

The Industrial Revolution of the 18th century introduced countless novel products which in turn caused the release of numerous kinds of pollutants into the environment. While industrialization was not necessarily an evil development, it is careless and unsustainable industrialization that is the bane of modern civilization.

Such careless and unsustainable industrialization is usually driven by the greed of the few, allowing a lot to suffer needlessly. Pollutants, ranging from poisonous organic chemicals to heavy metals, affect the vulnerable population. This toxicity endangers the health of vulnerable populations such as the urban poor.

The pervasiveness of these chemicals means that they persist in the environment, affecting generations of people and non-human species. Sound research has found a wide variety of chemicals, many of which are toxic, in the blood of newborn human babies.

In response to that, we follow these methods:

  • Utilize sound science coupled with the latest data in order to prepare projects that would best shield the environment from the impact of these toxic chemicals
  • With the help of our established network of allies and supporters, present petitions and legal action under relevant local and international laws that could counter polluting practices to promote good environmental health
  • Advocate for more protected habitats for marine species
  • Utilize mass media to promote the good use of natural resources