American Alligator - photograph taken at Gulf Islands National Seashore Park, Ocean Springs, Mississippi

American alligators have broad snouts, heavy heads, and

raised scales along their backs.

They can grow over 16 feet long, but most are usually smaller.

Adult American alligators are usually black with lighter bellies.

They have a second set of eyelids that act like goggles underwater.

Reptiles and Amphibians

There are many reptiles and amphibians in North America.

Box turtles live in dry places. In hot, dry weather they sometimes burrow into the ground to keep cool.

The body temperature of reptiles and amphibians changes according to how hot or cold their surroundings are.

The box turtle has a hinge on the shell across its belly. This allows the turtle to close its shell completely.

Reptiles and amphibians are vertebrates (VERT-uh-bruts) which means they have bony backbones.

Adults American alligators bellow loudly during the breeding season, to attract a mate.

In some areas, alligators dig ponds to make sure there is open water during the dry season.

They live in freshwater wetlands in the warm southeast parts of the United States.

The jawline of an alligator seems to give the reptile a permanent smile.

An American alligator's snout is broad.

Waiting for prey, alligators often float in the water with only their eyes, ears, and nostrils above the surface.

If box turtles get too fat, they are unable to close their shells.

Box turtles sometimes live for more than a hundred years. They eat plants and animals.

 

 

 		  

Anole Lizards

Anoles form the largest genus of the Iguanidae with about 300 forms.  They inhabit tropical and subtropical America.  They can vary their skin color between green and shades of brown and are sometimes called "American chameleons" although they are not related to the Old World chameleons.  These variations in color are caused by the rearrangement of pigment cells in the skin in response to temperature, humidity, activity and emotional state. 

 The anoles are slender, climbing lizards with well-developed adhesive toes.  They are 6 - 8 inches in length.  A pink dewlap (throat fan) under the neck is found in both genders although it is much larger in the males.  Females also have a white line down their backs.  Anoles spread the dewlap in defending their territories, during courtship and during threat behavior. When excited they can also erect a fold of skin to form a crest along the back.

 Anoles are diurnal - becoming active as soon as the sun warms its body.  They feed on insects and spiders.  In the wild they live only one to two years.  They live up to three years in captivity, are highly territorial and have sticky feet.  Anoles are almost perfect terrarium specimens.  They require little room, do little damage to the plants in their cages and reproduce easily.  The female buries eggs in a shallow hole in the ground