One of the closest living relatives of the dinosaur, the alligator is a fierce predator. Living in the rivers of the southeastern United States, these scaly reptiles can grow up to 20 feet or more. Hatched from eggs, babies are about 10 inches long when they are born. Once a very common animal, the alligator was nearly hunted to extinction. Thanks to protective laws, the population is now recovering.
© 1997 E Patrol Foundation