{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "american-alligator",
  "name": "American Alligator",
  "scientificName": "Alligator mississippiensis",
  "category": "Reptile",
  "summary": "The American alligator is a large reptile native to the freshwater wetlands of the southeastern United States and a celebrated conservation success story after near-extinction. Males can grow over 4 m (13 ft) long, have one of the strongest bite forces ever measured, and may live 35 to 50 years. Unlike crocodiles, alligators have a broad, rounded snout.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Reptilia",
    "order": "Crocodilia",
    "family": "Alligatoridae",
    "genus": "Alligator"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 360,
    "lengthM": 4,
    "topSpeedKmh": 32,
    "lifespanYears": 50
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Alligator mississippiensis"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Carnivore"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Freshwater swamps, rivers, and marshes"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "35–50 years in the wild"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "Up to 360 kg (800 lb)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Up to 32 km/h (20 mph) in short bursts"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Freshwater swamps, rivers, and marshes of the southeastern United States.",
    "continents": [
      "North America"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "Elsey, R. et al. (2019). Alligator mississippiensis. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.",
      "url": null
    },
    {
      "citation": "The Reptile Database (reptile-database.org).",
      "url": null
    },
    {
      "citation": "Animal Diversity Web — Alligator mississippiensis. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.",
      "url": "https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Alligator_mississippiensis/"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/american-alligator/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/american-alligator/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}