Alligator is a genus of the Alligatoridae family of crocodile-like
reptiles. It includes two known species: Alligators live
in wet, stagnant, freshwater environments such as ponds,
marshes, or swamps. Although alligators have heavy bodies
and slow metabolisms, they are capable of short bursts
of speed that can exceed 30 miles per hour. Alligators
kill by biting their prey and then spinning and convulsing
wildly. Alligators are characterized by a broad snout
and very dorsally located eyes compared to crocodiles.
Both living species also tend to be darker in color, often
nearly black (though Chinese alligators have some light
patterning. Also, in alligators only the upper teeth can
be seen with the jaws closed (in contrast to crocodiles,
in which upper and lower teeth can be seen), though many
animals bear jaw deformities which complicate this means
of identification.
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