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THE CHINESE ALLIGATOR

COMMON NAMES:
Chinese alligator, Yangtze alligator, China alligator

LOCATIONS:
China: restricted to areas around the lower Yangtze River.

ENVIRONMENTS:
The Chinese Alligator prefers slow-moving freshwater rivers and streams, including lakes, ponds and swamps. Also found in both low-elevation agricultural and tree farm communes. Alligators spend a considerable period each year (6 to 7 months) hibernating within complex burrow systems in order to escape the climatic extremes associated with the northerly latitudes at which they occur. Temperatures within burrows rarely fall below 10º C.

STATUS:
IUCN-International Union of Conservation of Nature (Critically Endangered)
Estimated wild population: under 200
Summary: Wild populations have very limited distribution and are virtually extinct, but captive populations are healthy. Reintroduction programs offer hope.

APPEARANCE:
One of the smaller crocodilian species, reaching around 6ft. Adults may weigh up to 40kg. The youngsters are black with bright yellow cross-banding. Unlike American Alligator however, The Chinese Alligator has bony plates on each upper eyelid. The end of the snout is slightly upturned, and is more tapered.

DIET:
Alligators hunt mainly at night when the temperatures rise in the late spring and into early fall (April and October). They feed mainly on aquatic invertebrates of mainly snails and mussels for which their jaw formation dentition is adapted and of course fish. Like all crocodilians, they are opportunistic and will take other prey when available, including rats and ducks.

BREEDING:
Young alligators grow rapidly, and females reach sexual maturity around 4 to 5 years of age. Breeding behaviour begins during the northern Summer, when temperatures are warmer and hence alligators are more active at night. Mound nests are constructed from plant materials. The nests are constructed between July and August, and lay between 10 and 50 eggs. The incubation period lasts around 70 days at normal incubation temperatures of 30 degrees C.

CONSERVATION:
Despite their reputation for having a timid nature, Chinese alligators have historical associations with the mythical Chinese dragon, yet this has not saved this species from human impact. The Chinese Alligator is currently battling it out with the Philippine Crocodile for the distinction of being the world's most endangered crocodilian, although recent progress by the Chinese government means the future outlook is now a little brighter. Habitat destruction has been the major cause of decline, with most wetland areas being modified due to human population pressures.