Are native to only two countries - the United States and China
Live in fresh-water environments - ponds, marshes, wetlands, rivers, lakes and swamps.
Are cold-blooded.
Feed mostly at night. They eat fish, birds, turtles and, sometime, deer.
Have been living on earth for millions of years and are described as 'living fossils'.
Can weigh as much as 1,000 lbs.
Eggs become male or female depending upon the temperature - male in warmer temperatures (90 - 93 degrees) and female in cooler temperatures (82 - 88 degrees).
Are born with one extra-long tooth - an 'egg tooth'. This tooth enables them to break out of their shells.
An adult human could hold the jaws of an alligator shut with their bare hands and the alligator's jaw muscles are quite weak.
Balance twigs on their noses to lure birds looking for nest-building materials.