Alberta (American alligator)
Alligator
mississippiensis
The American alligator is the largest reptile in North
America. The body coloration is
generally black with yellowish or cream cross bands, but with age, the
coloration fades. Alligators when
awakened or threatened let out a menacing hiss.
They can grow to almost 20 feet.
They live in fresh or brackish bodies of water. They naturally occur from the coastal areas
of southern North Carolina around Florida and as far as Texas. Their numbers were much reduced because of
the value of their hides. The young
often appear in pet stores in those states where alligators are
legal—California is not one of those states.
Alberta was brought to Critter Creek by a Fish and Game warden who
was called to Madera. The young
alligator was walking along the road by the cemetery when she was discovered by
some neighbors. We were asked by the
department to provide the alligator a permanent home. She has eaten several mice a day and is
already looking healthier. She joins
Tick-Tock, our other American alligator in the new enclosure they share. They have an inside heated area for cold
mornings and evenings and a sunny outdoor are with a large pool of water for
them to lounge in.