Chinese alligator

One of the only two living alligator species is it in a grave danger

Bas van Brandwijk

A tiny portion of a protected reserve along the lower Yangtze River in China is the only place where Chinese alligators, an exceptionally uncommon species, can be found. The species lives in wetlands, swamps, and slow-moving rivers. These enigmatic and little-known crocodilians spend a lot of time in the water or subterranean burrows and hunt primarily at night.

Sadly, only about 100 of these special alligator are left in the wild, which is almost extinct. Due to habitat degradation, fragmentation, pollution, and hunting, the species has seen dramatic population losses and a sharp fall in its geographic distribution. Even though hunting pressure has significantly decreased, habitat degradation still needs to be addressed.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
China
2017
Anhui
China
2017
Presence Uncertain: Jiangsu, Zhejiang

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Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No