Alligator
Sign in to saveAn alligator, or colloquially gator, is a large reptile in the genus Alligator of the family Alligatoridae in the order Crocodilia. The two extant species are the American alligator (A. mississippiensis) and the Chinese alligator (A. sinensis). Additionally, several extinct species of alligator are known from fossil remains. Alligators first appeared during the late Eocene epoch about 37 million years ago.
AI overview
An alligator is a large reptile belonging to the family Alligatoridae, with two living species: the American alligator and the Chinese alligator. Alligators are scientifically significant as ancient reptiles that have existed for approximately 37 million years, making them important subjects for understanding the long evolutionary history of crocodilians.
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Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- taxon
- Subclass of
- Reptilia
- Parent taxon
- Alligatorinae
- Image
- Two american alligators.jpg
Show 5 more facts
- P105
- genus
Article
17 sectionsContents
- Evolution
- Phylogeny
- Species
- Extant
- Extinct
- Description
- Habitat
- Behavior
- Diet
- Reproduction
- Anatomy
- Human uses
- Differences from crocodiles
- Image gallery of extant species
- See also
- References
- External links
An alligator, or colloquially gator, is a large reptile in the genus Alligator of the family Alligatoridae in the order Crocodilia. The two extant species are the American alligator (A. mississippiensis) and the Chinese alligator (A. sinensis). Additionally, several extinct species of alligator are known from fossil remains. Alligators first appeared during the late Eocene epoch about 37 million years ago.
The term "alligator" is likely an anglicized form of '', Spanish for "the lizard", which early Spanish explorers and settlers in Florida called the alligator. Early English spellings of the name included allagarta and alagarto''.