The American alligator has a large, dark, slightly rounded body and thick limbs.

The alligator uses its powerful tail to propel itself through water. While alligators move very quickly in water, they are generally slow-moving on land. They can, however, move quickly for short distances. Alligators are a keystone species benefiting the marshes, swamps, rivers and lakes where they live and many other species found within their natural community.

Crocodiles are gray-green or olive-green. There are a few visible differences between alligators and crocodiles. Crocodiles have slender snouts, while alligators’ are broader. When their mouths are closed, the large, fourth tooth in the lower jaw of an alligator fits into a socket in the upper jaw and is not visible, while the fourth tooth on the bottom jaw of the crocodile is visible.

The American alligator is a stunning example of a species that has fully recovered in large part due to protections provided by the Endangered Species Act. By conserving habitat and strictly controlling hunting and trade, we have been able to increase the population to the point where sustainable harvest programs provide economic incentives to conserve alligators and their aquatic habitats.