by Charles Klein

Created on: June 30, 2008

Later...Alligator! In a while crocodile. We've all heard the saying. But it was almost true. Later alligator, In the fifties and sixties the alligator was almost wiped out just like other great creatures of this planet. How sad would that have been? The alligator lasting since prehistoric times to be wiped out. The modern day dinosaur has since, thanks to protection laws made a climb out the hole and is now maintaining a level reproduction rate. The farming of alligators has helped the species rise from extinction.

The alligator trade or the farming of alligators is a very lucrative market. The Hyde and meat of alligators catch a fair to high price. Hyde are used to make clothing to accessories. Alligator meat is a desired delicatessen. The meat from an alligator is high in protein and low in fat,making it much more healthier for you than other meats. American southerners have been enjoying it for years. Alligator farms have accounted for over one million pounds of meat a year. The states boasting the most and biggest alligator farms are Florida and Louisiana.

Alligator farms are environmentally safe and an alternative to hunting the ancient dino. Hunting almost did the alligator in, the southeast almost lost one of it's most famous locals. Farms on private land are able to collect wild alligator eggs and hatch and rear the baby gator's at the farm. When the alligator juveniles reach approximately four feet half of the eggs collected from a nest site are brought back and released in the wild. Which is a good thing seeing where less than half never make it to four feet in the wild. The other half is ready for marketing.

Hunting of alligators was stopped do to the extreme low numbers that were remaining in the wild. Now even though the alligator has come back to good numbers the reptile is still being protected. The law against hunting the alligators states the American alligator and the really rare American Crocodile look too much alike. The environmental police and the fish and game do not want to lose anymore American crocodiles, especially by mistaking identity. With all the farms now producing enough alligators to keep the public and sales markets happy who needs the hunting of these beautiful modern day dinosaurs.

Alligator's are a great and needed carnavore residing in the south east portion of the u.s. The american alligator can grow to over twelve feet long. Alligators are related to the larger and more aggressive crocodile and the smaller but fiesty caimen. Alligators are one of the longest surviving animals alive today. And it easy to see how they made it this long. They have stream line bodies and sharp teeth with extreme jaw power. The body is protected by a tough leathery skin. Alligators are known for their camoflouge tactics and their ability of ambushing unwary prey.

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