Chinese Alligator
by Ruth Jolly
Title
Chinese Alligator
Artist
Ruth Jolly
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
The Chinese Alligator is one of two known living species of Alligator, a genus in the family Alligatoridae. It is native only to eastern China. While its appearance is very similar to the only other living member of the genus, the American alligator, there are a few differences. Usually, this species only attains an adult length of 5 feet (1.5 m) and a mass of 80 pounds (36 kg). Exceptional large males have reached 7 feet (2.1 m) in length and 100 pounds (45 kg) in weight. Reports are known of alligators in China reaching 10 feet (3.0 m) in centuries past, but these are now generally considered apocryphal. Unlike the American alligator, the Chinese alligator is fully armored; even the belly is armored, which is a feature of only a few crocodilians. 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. The Chinese alligator is mainly endangered because of habitat pollution and reduction as their habitat is turned into rice paddies and because of extermination since farmers consider them a menace. 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 Alligators. Fine Art America watermark will not appear on purchased artwork.
Uploaded
April 23rd, 2013
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