Alligator

An alligator is The America alligator is a large reptile; lizard-like in appearance, with a powerful, triangular-shaped head, broad at the shoulders, tapering towards a blunted snout on top of which lies a pair of nostrils. Further up and also on top are a pair of large, imposing, slightly bulging eyes, lidded top and bottom, olive green in colour but variable. Vertical ear slits, covered by an external flap of skin, lie directly behind the eyes. The massive jaws extend the length of the head with only the lower one moveable. When the mouth is closed, the effect is that of a gentle smile. When opened, the jaws reveal a single row of irregular, conically-shaped teeth, both top and bottom about 80 in number, as well as a pit in each upper jaw meant to receive the long 4th lower tooth when the mouth is closed. All teeth are situated in deep hollows in the jaw (alveoli). The back and sides are covered with square, tile-like, scales, each with a bone and covered with skin (osteoderms). All scales are linked together by flexible, tough, tissue, except on the head where they are ossified and solidly fused to the skull. The scales on the belly and throat do not have osteoderms, they are smooth and softer than those above and are creamy white, darkening towards the long tail that is flattened vertically and narrows towards the tip. The whole body is supported by four relatively short legs, covered with horny nodules similar in colour to the back and sides. The fore limbs have five digits, the hind limbs four. All are webbed and clawed. Hatchlings and very young alligators are olive brown in colour and marked with creamy yellow cross bands. Males tend to be larger than females.