Chinese Alligator

The common and genus name Alligator comes from the Spanish “el lagarto” meaning “the lizard.” The species name sinensis means “from China.”

Dark gray or black in color with a fully armored body, the Chinese alligator grows to 1.5–2.1 meters (5–7 ft) in length and weighs 36–45 kilograms (80–100 lb) as an adult. One of the smallest species of crocodilians, the Chinese alligator attains a length of 1.5–2.1 meters (5–7 ft) and a weight of 36–45 kilograms (80–100 lb) as an adult. Females are roughly three-quarters the length of males. It is less than half the size of the American alligator, which typically grows to a length of 3.4 meters (11.2 ft) for males and 2.5 meters (8.2 ft) for females. Reports are known of alligators in China reaching 3 meters (10 ft) in past centuries, but these are no longer thought to be accurate [17]. The largest reported female measured 2.07 meters (6 ft 9 in) and weighed 50 kilograms (110 lb), while the largest reported male measured 2.46 meters (8 ft 1 in) and weighed 84 kilograms (185 lb).

The Chinese alligator is almost completely black or dark gray in color as an adult. It has a short and broad snout, which points slightly upwards and narrows at the end. Its head is robust, more so than that of the American alligator, with a bony septum dividing its nostrils. It has 72–76 teeth, of which 13–14 are maxillary, five premaxillary, and 18–19 mandibular. Four specimens measuring 1.4 to 1.55 m (4 ft 7 in – 5 ft 1 in) in length and weighing 12–15 kg (26–33 lb) had a bite force of 894–1,357 N (201–305 lbf). Unlike the American alligator, the Chinese alligator is fully armored, including its belly. It contains up to 17 rows of scales across its body, which are soft on its belly and side and rougher on its back. Its upper eyelids have bony plates on them, a feature usually not present in the American alligator. Its tail is wider than that of the American alligator. It does not have webbed feet, in contrast to the American alligator, which has extensive webbing on its toes.

Chinese alligators are members of the crocodilian order's Alligatoridae family. The American alligator, black caiman, and spectacled caiman are among their closest cousins. Alligators' ancestors lived more than 37 million years ago. Following the division of populations between Asia and North America, the Chinese, Thai, and American species diverged.

Chinese alligators are great aquatic predators due to their strong tail propulsion for quick swims, webbed feet for steering, the ability to hold their breath for about an hour in cold weather, night vision, and sensory pits that sense water vibrations. Their ability to burrow allows them to create deep tunnels that shield them from harsh temperatures. They also swim by tucking their legs against their bodies and using a side-to-side tail motion.

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During the winter, the Chinese alligator digs burrows. It frequently spends time in the light before summer starts after this period of dormancy. Throughout the summer, it is nocturnal, feeding at night and seeking cover during the day to avoid both people and the heat. It is able to survive in locations where humans are commonly seen thanks to this characteristic. Some writers have suggested that the Chinese alligator was the inspiration for the Chinese dragon. This theory was widespread in the early 1900s, and the idea was later revisited by John Thorbjarnarson and Xiaoming Wang.

The Chinese alligator is an opportunistic feeder, meaning that it can prey on a variety of different animals depending on what is available. It is a carnivore, mostly eating fish and invertebrates, such as crustaceans, insects, mussels, clams, and snails. When possible, it eats rodents, other small mammals, and aquatic birds as well. It has dull teeth, which allow it to eat prey with shells more easily. There is some speculation that they may prey on turtles as well. A study of the alligator in 1985 showed that snails were the most common animal in its diet at 63%, with 65% of that being river snails and 35% spiral-shelled snails. According to the survey, its diet also contained 16% rabbits, 8.3% mollusks, and 4.1% shrimp, with the remaining 6.8% being frogs, fish, and insects.

Eagles, hawks, vultures, catfish, sturgeons, humans, gibbons, and, infrequently, wild dogs, wolves, jackals, or foxes are potential hazards to adult Chinese alligators. Rats, snakes, and large birds may consume their eggs.

It has been a part of Chinese literature since the third century. In the late 1200s, Marco Polo became the first person outside of China to write about it. In some writings, the Chinese alligator has been associated with the Chinese dragon. Many pieces of evidence suggest that the Chinese alligator was an inspiration for the Chinese dragon.

Among crocodilians, Chinese alligators are renowned for being the most submissive and shy. Even though they are still natural predators, they tend to be shy and steer clear of confrontation with people. In the past, they coexisted peacefully in rice paddies alongside farmers. They were rarely feared since they were thought to be signs of impending rain.

Threats

The Chinese alligator is classified as Critically Endangered.

• Habitat destruction from agriculture and urban development

• Pollution of wetlands

• Historic hunting

• Reduction of natural prey

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered (CR) – IUCN Red List 

Conservation Efforts

• Captive breeding programs.

• Wetland restoration

• Reintroduction projects.

• Habitat protection.

• Anti-poaching enforcement.

• Rescue and rehabilitation centers.

• Awareness campaigns against illegal pet trade.

The Chinese alligator, once widely dispersed in the lower Changjiang (also known as Yangtze) River system in southeast China, is now only recognized from a limited area in southeastern Anhui Province, a small portion of its historical range. It has not been established in recent years that there are any wild Chinese alligators in Zhejiang or Jiangsu Provinces, and there are undoubtedly no breeding populations outside of Anhui Province.

This species excavates lengthy tunnels made of earth that include numerous chambers, entrances, and pools. Due to persecution from humans, they are primarily nocturnal and spend the majority of the day in their tunnels when people are nearby, as well as in the cooler and winter months. The alligators emerge from their winter burrows each year in April and seek out sunny areas to sunbathe. As summer approaches, they begin their annual mating rituals and shift to more nocturnal feeding habits to stay away from people and the heat.

• Movement Pattern: Not a Migrant

• Individual Type: Solo

• Population Trend: Stable

• Population: 68-86

• Locomotion: Amphibious

• Habitat: Temperate Coniferous Forests; Temperate Broadleaf and Mixed Forests; Temperate Deciduous Forests; Temperate Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Subtropical Coniferous Forests; Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Tropical Coniferous Forests; Tropical Moist Broadleaf Forests; Tropical Dry Broadleaf Forests; Tropical Grasslands, Savannas and Shrublands; Flooded Grasslands and Savannas; Swamp; Bayous/Billabongs; Riparian; Wetland; Warm River; Cold River; Lukewarm River; Warm Pond; Cold Pond; Warm Lake; Cold Lake; Warm Ghost Town; Cold Ghost Town; Ruined Skyscraper.

• Earth: 

  • Extant (resident): China (Anhui)

  • Presence Uncertain: China (Jiangsu, Zhejiang)

• Berbania/Hirawhassa: 

  • Extant: none

  • Extinct: none

• Reinachos/Ityosel: 

  • Extant: none

  • Extinct: none

• Thatrollwa/Delphia: 

  • Extant: none

  • Extinct: none

It is not appropriate to have Chinese alligators as pets. Because they need enormous, specialized habitats, are legally protected in China and abroad, and can be dangerous as adults. Typically, ownership is restricted to zoos or conservation facilities with licenses.

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Past and Present Incidents - Individuals

• Terran/Gaian

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• Berbanian/Hirawhassan

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• Reinachos/Ityoselese

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• Delphian/Thatrollwan

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• Sawintiran

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• Jotunheim

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The Recollections of Queen Arianna - Individuals

• Terran/Gaian

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• Berbanian/Hirawhassan

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• Reinachos/Ityoselese

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• Delphian/Thatrollwan

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• Sawintiran

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• Jotunheim

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Biological Relative

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Allies

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Enemies

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See also: none

• Coming soon

Coming soon

• This is first ever draw a living crocodilian in this century by Ognimdo2002.

• It’s one of only two living alligator species.

• A lot of people imagine alligators as giant swamp monsters, but the Chinese alligator is more like a compact armored ambush predator.

• It’s one of the most cold-tolerant crocodilians.

• Not “true mammal hibernation” exactly, but it does enter a winter dormancy/brumation-like state.

• It’s more of a snail crusher than a giant beast-killer.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_alligator

• https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/867/3146005

• https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/chinese-alligator

• https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/crocodiles

• https://www.crocodilesoftheworld.co.uk/animals/chinese-alligator/

• https://animalia.bio/chinese-alligator

• https://www.deviantart.com/ognimdo2002/art/Chinese-Alligator-975399657