What is the Rarest Type of Alligator? 4 Remarkable Species

 

Alligators are among the most captivating reptiles in the world. They are famous for their prehistoric appearance and formidable hunting skills. There are only two species of alligators. There's the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) and the Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis.)

There are rare genetic variations that result in unique types of alligators though. But these are so rare that they’re borderline mythical. So what is the rarest type of alligator? Let’s find out.

The Chinese alligator is often considered the rarest alligator species in the world. It’s a situation unlike that of its American counterpart. Millions of American gators are thriving in the southeastern United States. The Chinese alligator is on the endangered list as fewer than 150 of them are in the wild. Why is the Chinese alligator so rare? Several factors have contributed to its decline. One is the destruction of its habitat. The Chinese have converted wetlands into farmlands. This has left little room for alligators.

Industrial and agricultural waste have also contaminated water sources. Gators have become stunted and poisoned by these wastes. They were also hunted to the verge of extinction. The demand for their skin, meat, and organs has contributed to their decline. Their survival chances are better now that it’s illegal to hunt gators.

There’s another piece of good news. Breeding programs in China and abroad have been successful. Thousands of Chinese gators are now bred and raised in captivity. Some were already reintroduced into the wild. Alligators have green skin.

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