Alligators (Alligator sp.)

[Paleosuchus]

Sexual Maturity in Male American Alligators in Southwest Louisiana
Abstract
Very little is known about the attainment of puberty in reptiles. In the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) males are assumed
to be sexually mature at about 1.8 m in total length, but it is not clear at what size they produce testosterone, spermatozoa and mate
successfully. We re-examined this question by studying plasma testosterone levels in blood samples from a large sample of alligators (~1,500)
collected every month of the year and ranging in size from approximately 61 cm (2 ft) to 360 cm (11.5 ft). Testosterone values ranged from
0.05–115.41 ng/mL. All size classes of alligators exhibited a seasonal cycle in testosterone levels, but the concentrations were size-dependent:
the larger the alligator the higher the testosterone. In all size-classes testosterone reached a peak in the breeding season (March–May).
Mean testosterone in the largest size-class during breeding was 75 ng/mL whereas in the smallest size-class peak testosterone was less than
3 ng/mL. The smallest size-class (59–89 cm) showed an additional rise in testosterone in late summer. The attainment of sexual maturity
in alligators appears to be closely associated with growth and is a gradual process lasting several years. Sexually immature alligators show a
seasonal pattern of testosterone secretion similar to that of adults, but the values are significantly lower.

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Link to paper


Some predatory feats from McIlHenny(1935)

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Predation on a three year old cow, the discovery of three pigs in the stomach of one alligator, and predation on a deer

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A further note on predation of hogs by alligator, as well as domestic poultry

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