![]() They are much larger in size, have crushing jaw strength, and can easily snap off an alligator’s head. If threatened or on seeing their young in danger, hippos can kill crocodiles easily. Hippos are highly aggressive and territorial animals, despite their gentle giant image. You might be wondering why hippos are listed as alligator predators – when these giants are actually herbivorous. Approximately 24 younglings are born from each batch of eggs in an alligator nest – which is quite a handful to look after. Though alligator mothers are fierce and stay with the young, they cannot defend them all from birds. Large birds, such as egrets and eagles, and snakes, prey on the juveniles. This means raccoons, birds of prey, otters, and even large, carnivorous freshwater fishes hunt them. Baby alligators are only 8 inches long and quite weak. When alligators are young, they have even more predators. However, smaller alligators and alligator eggs are especially susceptible to being eaten by others of their own kind.ĭuring times of dehydration or when there is no other food source available, alligator mothers can even eat their own eggs. Usually, if Adult alligators grow to more than 4 feet in length – they are safe from such brawls. Sometimes, it can be due to territorial reasons, while at other times, it could be because other food sources are not available. Alligators Cannibalize AlligatorsĪlligators are infamous for eating their own kind. They are bold enough to approach alligator-infested waters to pick up brawls with them. It is not just about power jaguars are also temperamentally very strong. With this crushing bite, capable of going through animal skulls and turtle shells – alligators are no match. Their bite is the strongest among all felines when compared relative to their size. Jaguars are extremely fast, can swim well, and have a large, powerful bite. They eat not only alligators but also crocodiles and caimans of sizes comparable to themselves. Usually, this is a long process and takes well over 5 hours.Īlong with tigers – jaguars are one the most common alligator predators. There have been recorded cases of pythons killing alligators and swallowing them whole. Large pythons are capable of crushing alligators by wrapping themselves around the alligator’s body. However, a territorial war between pythons and alligators of appropriate sizes is not that uncommon. They often prey on snakes and smaller reptiles. Pythons Are Alligator PredatorsĪgain, alligators are apex predators in their own right. alligators make for some vicious fights, and in some cases, the alligator can also get the upper hand. This may lead to battles, but the lion has the upper hand here due to its strength and agility.īig cats usually injure animals by a bite at the nape of their neck. ![]() However, when lions go for a drink near the water’s edge, aggressive and territorial alligators often attack them. Hence, alligators are not their preferred choice of food. Tigers are the most common predator for alligators. However, if no other prey is available, they can bite down and defeat mid-size alligators. They don’t generally prefer to eat crocodiles and opt for smaller mammals. Bengal tigers are even known to be able to win fights with crocodiles in the Sunderbans, in India, and in Bangladesh. Due to their swimming proficiency and stealth, they are able to prey on gullible alligators. Tigers and alligators coexist in similar areas. While alligators are apex predators and are important in the ecosystem to keep levels of fish, turtles, and snakes down – they also have some larger predators of their own. They started to replenish after their status was changed to “Endangered.” Currently, their conservation status is that of “Least Concern.” The American crocodile, on the other hand, is currently in the “Vulnerable.” status. By 1967, the alligator population almost went extinct. ![]() While most reptiles do not raise their young and often abandon the eggs, alligator hatchlings grow up with their mom for up to 2 years.They are only found in the United States (North Carolina to Florida) and China (Yangtze River).Saltwater animals have special glands to filter our salt, which alligators don’t. Alligators thrive exclusively in freshwater.Their bodies are so well adapted to their lifestyle that there hasn’t been much evolutionary need to change. Even 30 million years ago, the alligator ancestors looked the same as the ones we see today. ![]() Unlike other animals that have continuously evolved over time – alligators have remained virtually the same for over 8 million years.Other Alligator Articles You Might Like To Read.What eats alligators in the food chain?. ![]()
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