5 Fun Facts About Alligators
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Florida is rife with endearing wildlife, and the notorious alligator is one of the most endearing of all. Both fearsome and fascinating, alligators have been kicking around the planet with very little evolutionary changes for the past 84 million years. Here comes five more fun facts about these ancient creatures.
Fact 1: Impressive Lifespan
Alligators have a pretty impressive lifespan. They can live up to 50 years in the wild (and up to 80 years in captivity).
Fact 2: Impressive Teeth
Even though alligators can’t chew, they do use their teeth to rip up larger prey. Smaller prey gets eaten whole. When an alligator’s teeth wear out and fall out, they are replaced by newer, sharper teeth. A single alligator may generate 3,000 teeth throughout its lifetime.
Fact 3: Open-Mouth Pose
You’ll often see alligators hanging out in the heat with their mouths wide open. No, it’s not to show off their regenerating teeth. It’s actually how they cool themselves down. The open-mouth pose helps body heat escape.
Fact 4: Jaw Muscles
As you may suspect, the jaw muscles alligators use to clamp down on prey are incredibly strong. But the jaw muscles used to open their mouths are relatively weak. That’s why alligators can’t bust through the duct tape often used to keep their jaws shut during transport.
Fact 5: Roar
Although alligators can lurk and lie around in total silence, male alligators also have the ability to roar. They may do so to attract a female, and to warn other males to steer clear.
Bonus Fun Fact: Sun Shirt Superstars
Alligators make great subjects for sun shirt designs, especially those highlighting their most notable talents. One of our most endearing graphic tee designs fits the bill perfectly.
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