Set of American Alligator Teeth ID#28

Common Name: American Alligator

Scientific Name: Alligator mississippiensis

Epoch:Miocene, Pliocene

Fossil Type: Tooth

Fossil Size: 0.99, 1.00 Inches 2.51, 2.54 cm

Location Found: Florida

Info about Crocodilians

    Crocodilians are amongst the oldest surviving tetrapod lineages alive today. Found on most continents today except for Europe and Antarctica (though they did used to exist there too). These animals are known for their semi-aquatic life style and their impressive bite force. Two species of crocodilians are found today within the United States. Crodylus acutus (American crocodile) and Alligator mississippiensis (American alligator). Crocodylus is the genus of which all true crocodiles belong too, such as the saltwater crocodile of Australia C. porosus and C. niloticus from the Nile River. Alligator is the genus all true alligators belong to of which only two species survive today. The aforementioned American alligator and the Chinese alligator (A. sinensis). The American alligator is known for reaching at least to 15 ft in length. The American crocodile is known for well exceeding 20ft in length.

References:

New Scientist. (2008, June 18). When crocodiles roamed the Arctic. New Scientist. https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19826611-200-when-crocodiles-roamed-the-arctic/

Simón, Y. (2024, March 4). The biggest alligator on record, by weight and length. HowStuffWorks. https://animals.howstuffworks.com/reptiles/biggest-alligator.htm