Alligator Smile
by World Reflections By Sharon
Title
Alligator Smile
Artist
World Reflections By Sharon
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
I was walking past a pond and this alligator was sunning itself on the grass. It's head was up and it opened it's mouth, as if smiling.
"Alligator, (genus Alligator), either of two crocodilians related to the tropical American caimans (family Alligatoridae). Alligators, like other crocodilians, are large animals with powerful tails that are used both in defense and in swimming. Their eyes, ears, and nostrils are placed on top of their long head and project slightly above the water when the reptiles float at the surface, as they often do. Alligators can be differentiated from true crocodiles by the form of their jaw and teeth. Alligators possess a broad U-shaped snout and have an “overbite”; that is, all the teeth of the lower jaw fit within (are lingual to) the teeth of the upper jaw. The large fourth tooth on each side of the alligator’s lower jaw fits into a socket in the upper jaw. Usually, no lower teeth are visible when the mouth is closed. In contrast, true crocodiles have a narrow V-shaped snout, and the large fourth tooth on each side of the lower jaw projects outside the snout when the mouth is closed. Alligators are carnivorous and live along the edges of permanent bodies of water, such as lakes, swamps, and rivers. They commonly dig burrows in which they rest and avoid weather extremes. The average life span of alligators is about 50 years in the wild. However, there have been reports of some specimens living beyond 70 years of age in captivity.
The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), the larger of the two species, is found in the southeastern United States. It is black with yellow banding when young and is generally brownish when adult. The maximum length is about 5.8 metres (19 feet), but it more typically ranges from about 1.8 to 3.7 metres (6 to 12 feet). The American alligator has been hunted for its hide, and its young have been sold in large numbers as pets. It disappeared from many areas where it was once abundant and was later given legal protection from hunters until it made an excellent comeback and limited hunting seasons were again established. The adult alligator feeds mainly on fishes, small mammals, and birds but may sometimes take prey as large as deer or cattle. Members of both sexes hiss, and the males also give loud roars that carry over considerable distances. During the breeding season, the female builds a mound nest of detritus and vegetation in which she buries about 20 to 70 hard-shelled eggs. She guards the eggs and may at this time be dangerous. Members of this species usually avoid humans." Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "alligator". Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Sep. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/animal/alligator. Accessed 24 October 2023.
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October 24th, 2023
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Comments (7)
World Reflections By Sharon
Bob - Than you so much for featuring "Alligator Smile" on the Hodge Podge homepage! Sincerely appreciate the support and honor!
World Reflections By Sharon
Karen - Greatly appreciate the honor of having 'Alligator Smile' chosen as a feature on the Lady Photographers and Artists homepage. Thanks!
World Reflections By Sharon
Nader - Always a pleasure to have one of my photographs displayed on your Fine Art EXploration Photography homepage. Thank you for the honor!
World Reflections By Sharon
Dr. Debra - Greatly appreciate the honor of having 'Alligator Smile' chosen for Dr. Debra Stewart's Gallery homepage! Thank you.
World Reflections By Sharon
Mariola - Thank you very much for featuring 'Alligator Smile' on the Wildlife ONE A DAY homepage. I greatly appreciate the honor!
Debby Pueschel
Yikes....frightening! FL
World Reflections By Sharon replied:
Thank you for the L/F, Debby! It was nice of him to 'pose' for me and not move from his sunny spot.
Antonis Meintanis
Wow....Wonderful capture !! 👍 👌👌👌
World Reflections By Sharon replied:
Thank you very much, Antonis! It was amazing seeing him sunning in the grass, so close to the sidewalk.