Description: American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) are large, lizard-like creatures of fresh water. The skin is leathery (not scaly like lizards), the jaws are long and powerful, and the tail is laterally flattened, which facilitates swimming. Compared to American Crocodiles, alligators have a relatively broad head and snout, a relatively short snout, and darker skin.

Taxonomy: Class: Reptilia; Order: Crocodylia; Family: Alligatoridae.

Diet: Turtles, fish, smaller alligators, birds, dogs, and just about anything else they can catch.

Habitat: Mostly freshwater ponds, marshes, and rivers, also coastal brackish areas.

Range: This species occurs throughout the southeastern U.S. from the south tip of Texas to Virginia.

Where to Find: Don't look for American Alligators around Las Vegas. Rather, look for them on trips to the Gulf Coast and southeastern US. Florida (e.g., Ding Darling NWR, the City of Dunedin, Everglades National Park, and Miami area) is a good place to find them during winter.