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Chinese Alligator
(Yangtze Alligator)
Alligator sinensis |
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| Class |
Reptilia |
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| Order |
Crocodylia |
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| Distribution |
Only found in the lower
Yangtze River in the provinces of Anhui,
Zhejiang and Jiangsu of China. |
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| Habitat |
Rivers, marshes, ponds
and lakes. |
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Conservation
Status |
Listed under Appendix
I of the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora (CITES). |
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| Characteristics
and Behaviour |
Chinese alligator is
a relatively small crocodilian of about
two metres in length and 40 kilograms
in weight. The male is larger than the
female in size. The snout is broad and
slightly upturned, with a pair of protruded
eyes on the top of the head. Chinese
alligators often retreat in burrows
or rest in waters during the day, although
sometimes they may bask on land. They
are more active at night and hibernate
in winter. The female reaches maturity
at the age of 4 or 5. Nesting occurs
around July. 10 to 40 eggs will be laid
each time, and the incubation period
lasts approximately 70 days. Juveniles
are black with yellow cross-banding. |
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| Diet |
Carnivorous, like river
snails, mussels, fish, frogs, birds
and small mammals. |
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