Chinese Alligator

The Chinese Alligator (Alligator sinensis) is a smaller relative of the well-known American Alligator, native to China.

Description

Physically, this species is an almost perfect miniature of its American cousin. Chinese alligators rarely exceed 7 feet long (2.1 m), with 5 feet (1.5 m) being a more common size. Weight is approximately 80 lb (36 kg). They have proportionally larger heads than young American alligators of the same size, as well as having scales that are more granular and a pattern of faint, light bands against their dark background.

Geographic range & habitat

While it originally ranged through much of China, this species' wild habitat has been reduced to little more than a few ponds containing a small number of animals (<200 individuals, only approximately 50 of which are mature) along the lower Yangzi River in the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui. Its population reduction has been mostly due to conversion of its habitat to agricultural use. Poisoning of rats, which the alligators then eat, has also been blamed for their decline. In the past decade, very few wild nests have been found, and even fewer produced viable offspring.

Conservation status

The Chinese alligator is listed as a CITES Appendix I species, which puts extreme restrictions on its trade and exportation throughout the world. It is IUCN Red Listed as a critically endangered species. Efforts are underway to reintroduce captive bred animals to suitable wild habitats, but thus far have not met with much success.

In captivity

Chinese alligators are quite prolific in captivity, with estimates of the total captive population at over 10,000 animals, mostly in the Anhui Research Centre of Chinese Alligator Reproduction and the Madras Crocodile Bank, as well as numerous zoos.

This species is widely regarded as quite docile, but, as with any crocodilian, it is capable of inflicting immense damage on an unwary keeper and should thus be treated with caution.

References

Listed as Critically Endangered (CR A1c, D v2.3)

External links

Crocodilian Online http://www.crocodilian.com
ARKive: Chinese Alligator