AnAge entry for Alligator mississippiensis

Classification (HAGRID: 03668)

Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata
        Class: Reptilia (Taxon entry)
            Order: Crocodilia
                Family: Alligatoridae
                    Genus: Alligator
Species: Alligator mississippiensis
Common name: American alligator
Synonyms: Alligator mississipiensis, Crocodilus mississipiensis

Maximum longevity: 73.1 years (captivity)
Source: ref. 485
Sample size: Large
Data quality: High
Observations: These are long-lived animals that appear to show indeterminate growth. In captivity, they can reach sexual maturity at 6 years of age. In the wild, food availability influences growth and sexual maturation with food scarcity being linked to a slower growth and a delayed maturity [0586]. A decline in egg production in females over 30 years of age has been reported [0527].

[0586] Lance (2003), Alligator physiology and life history: the importance of temperature, PubMed
[0037] Gillooly et al. (2001), Effects of size and temperature on metabolic rate, PubMed
[0019] Patnaik (1994), Ageing in reptiles, PubMed
[0527] Castanet (1994), Age estimation and longevity in reptiles, PubMed
[0485] Andrew Snider and J. Bowler (1992), Longevity of Reptiles and Amphibians in North American Collections, Second Edition