See You Later, Alligator! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Vocal cords

Alligators have all of these things except for vocal cords. In spite of this they are known to make sounds, usually by using the water around them. Overall, they like the silent approach!

Answer: Florida

The American alligator lives in the southeastern states of the U.S. with the heaviest population living in Florida. They can be found in every state that borders the Gulf of Mexico and have been found as far north as North Carolina.

Answer: Chinese Alligator

The Chinese alligator is not quite as large as its cousin the American alligator. American alligators have been known to grow to 14 ft. (4.4m), while the Chinese alligator only grows to about 5 ft.(1.5m). Found in the far eastern areas of the Yangtze River, these beautiful animals are critically endangered, with estimates of fewer than 200 individuals left in the wild.

Answer: To help with digestion

The proper term for these rocks is gastroliths and they help with digestion. They are used by animals that lack grinding teeth (molars) to break down the food that has been eaten. Many dinosaurs used them, as do modern alligators, crocodiles, seals and some types of birds.

Answer: 30-50 years

Both species of alligator have a life span of between thirty and fifty years on average, although some much older examples have been found. In captivity, they fare rather better, with eighty years being the average.

Answer: A mounded nest of fresh vegetation

A female alligator will lay her eggs in a large mounded nest of vegetation that has been freshly dug up. They take great care to build the nest in an area that is not prone to flooding. If a nest gets flooded, the eggs will die within 12 hours of being submerged. The average gator nest rises 3.5 ft. (just over 1 meter) and is twice as wide. It usually holds about 40 eggs.

Answer: Burmese python

The photo showed a 13 ft. (4.0m) long Burmese python which had eaten a 6 ft. (2.0m) long alligator. The photo appeared to show that this mighty meal was too much for the snake and it burst open. Alternate theories have purported that the snake itself had become a meal for an even larger alligator who observed it lying motionless while it tried to digest its huge meal.

While what exactly occurred is still debated, what is obvious is that the head of the snake was bitten off or popped off when it exploded.

Answer: Temperature regulation

Alligators, like all reptiles, are cold blooded. That is, they rely on the sun to help with temperature regulation. When too hot they will retreat to the water to cool themselves again. They are most active when the temperatures are between 82-92 degrees Fahrenheit. They will become dormant when temperatures dip below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Answer: False

Alligators eat meat only and are thus considered carnivores. Alligators are opportunistic feeders. They will lurk quietly until a prey animal comes close enough to grab. They will eat fish, turtles, frogs, and small mammals. They have even been known to grab other larger animals such as deer and pet dogs that come too near.

Answer: Alligators have broader snouts

Alligators have much broader snouts. They are also slightly flatter on top. This is the quickest way to tell the two animals apart if you run into one. This is usually not a problem as the only place that they both live is Everglades National Park in Florida.