AnAge entry for Alligator mississippiensis

Classification (HAGRID: 03244)

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

Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits

Maximum longevity
77 years (captivity)
Source
ref. 1298
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. Several captive American alligators over the age of 70 have been reported [1298]. 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]. A specimen called "Saturn", who survived in Berlin during World War Two, died in Moscow Zoo in 2020 at an estimated age of 84, but this has not been confirmed.

Life history traits (averages)

Female sexual maturity
4,380 days
Male sexual maturity
4,380 days
Adult weight
150,000 g

Metabolism

Typical body temperature
295ºK or 22.2ºC or 71.9ºF
Resting metabolic rate
0.1539 W
Body mass
1079.0 g
Metabolic rate per body mass
0.000143 W/g

References

External Resources

Integrated Taxonomic Information System
ITIS 551771
Animal Diversity Web
ADW account
Encyclopaedia of Life
Search EOL
NCBI Taxonomy
Taxonomy ID 8496
Entrez
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Ageing Literature
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Images
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Internet
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