Two Alligators Fight in a Savage Duel
A few golfers were enjoying their game, when they were interrupted by two alligators fighting!
The animals who were locked in a vicious duel!
They were about 11 feet each, pretty impressive… and also scary!
The incident took place at the Eagles Golf Course in Tampa, Florida.
According to Live Science, alligators are large reptiles, members of the order Crocodylia. Alligators and crocodiles are, therefore, closely related, and people often confuse one with the other; however, these two reptiles are very different.
An alligator is distinguished by its wide, rounded snout and black color. Also, all of its upper teeth can still be seen when its mouth is closed. Crocodiles, on the other hand, have narrow, pointed snouts, a grey-green color and only the fourth tooth on the lower jaw can be seen when the animal’s mouth is closed, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
There are two different types of alligator, and they vary in size. The American alligator can grow up to 11.2 feet (3.4 meters) long and weight nearly half a ton (1,000 lbs. or 454 kilograms), according to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Chinese alligators are smaller, growing to around 4.6 to 4.9 feet (1.4 to 1.5 m) long and usually weighing only around 50 lbs. (22.7 kg).
The American alligator lives in the southern United States, from North Carolina to Texas, according to the Smithsonian Zoo. These gators can be found in slow-moving rivers, ponds, lakes and swamps.
Chinese alligators live in eastern China, and they are confined to a small area in the Yangtze River basin near the Pacific Ocean, according to the Saint Louis Zoo. They are traditionally found in rivers, lakes, ponds and swamps, but are now confined mostly to ditches and ponds on agricultural land. Much of their habitat has been converted to rice paddies.
Alligators are social creatures and often stay in groups called congregations. These groups are typically seen basking in the sun or taking a swim. This is because alligators can’t control their temperature internally. So, when they are cold, they sunbathe, and when they are hot, they go for a swim.