Alligators frequently excavate large, deep holes in the soft soil near water. The holes are so deep they usually don't dry out, even during very dry winter seasons. Alligator holes are not only valuable to the alligators, they also provide water for many other animals during times of drought. Ranchers in Florida discovered the value of having alligators on their property during the 1981 spring drought when alligator holes were the only ready sources of water for their cattle. Ranchers who no longer had wild alligators had to haul water for their cattle-a costly endeavor.

Female alligators build large, mound-shaped nests of mud and plants, where the female lays her eggs. The female remains in the area to protect the nest. When ready to hatch, the young alligators grunt from inside their eggs and their mother digs the nest open. The female may even help break the eggs open and carry the young alligators to the water in her mouth.

Alligators are easily confused with crocodiles. How are they different? An alligator's lower teeth fit into pits in the upper jaw, so you usually cannot see them when the animal's mouth is closed. Some of a crocodile's lower teeth are visible. Also, alligators have a broad snout, while crocodiles have a narrow snout.

Alligators rarely attack humans. When this occurs, it is usually in defense of a nest or because public feeding has caused them to lose their fear of people.

Alligators were once very common throughout coastal areas of the southeastern U.S. In the early 1970's, the alligator was declared a federally endangered species due to widespread hunting for hides. From 1930-1940, for example, over one million alligators were killed in Florida alone. Although alligators have become more common than they were, they are still considered threatened and are protected by federal laws.

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