How Fast are Alligators On Land? The Answer is Surprising


 People often think of big cats like the cheetah or the lion when it comes to speed. It’s no surprise considering the cheetah is the fastest land animal. But did you know that reptiles like the alligator are no slouch in this department?


Large reptiles like the alligator can have an impressive burst of speed. It might come as a surprise but the alligator is quite limber and fast. How fast are alligators on land? Experts say the American alligator’s running speed clocks in at 11mph. There are extenuating factors that can affect how fast an alligator runs though. The terrain and the temperature are two factors.


Gators can run faster on flat land. But they will struggle if they have to climb an incline or go through a rocky landscape. The weather can also affect the alligator’s movement. It will move slower on a cold day. Their body also isn’t designed to run long distances on land. Alligators have short, stubby limbs and gravity alone will make it challenging to run for a long time.

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