Can Alligators Be 20 Feet Long? Breaking Down the Myth

 

Alligators are among the most formidable reptiles in the world. People know they have powerful jaws and tails. Their dinosaurian appearance only adds to their mystery.

These apex predators can grow to impressive sizes. Some alligators grow 15 feet in length. There are even reports of alligators reaching an amazing 20 feet in length. But can alligators be 20 feet long? This post will look into the science of alligator growth and try to answer that question.

There are two main species of alligators. You have the American alligator, or Alligator mississippiensis. The other is the Chinese alligator or Alligator sinensis. Alligators are among the largest reptiles in the world. Of the two main species, the American alligator is more enormous and has a larger population.

How big do alligators get? The average male American alligator can grow 10 to 15 feet long. Female American gators are smaller. They have an average length of 8 to 10 feet. The Chinese alligator is much smaller than their American counterpart. These reptiles have an average length of around 7 feet.

There are many stories of humongous wild alligators. The largest confirmed sizes of these reptiles do not go beyond 15 to 16 feet. Several things influence alligator size. They are genetics, diet, and habitat. Some alligators are just predisposed to growing big. You can say that it is in their genes. Diet also plays a major factor in alligator growth. Well-fed gators grow faster and larger than those with limited food sources.

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