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=Alligator= =Notes= Alligators are one of the most endangered animals in the wetlands. They are endangered because people like to make clothes, bags, sofas and fabric out of the alligators skin. Alligators can only be found in China and America. Alligators live for hundreds of years. Alligators in the wild are believed to live 35 - 50 years. In captivity their lifespan may be significantly longer, perhaps 60-80 years. Currently, there are no scientific methods of analyzing an alligators age while it is alive.Alligators can grow to enormous proportions, over 20 feet in length and weighing a ton or more.The longest recorded length for an alligator is 19' 2'. This animal was trapped in the early 1900's in the State of Louisiana. Most wild alligators do not get above 13 feet in length, and may weigh 600 pounds or more.Crocodiles and alligators open their jaws differently. The jaws of the crocodile are hinged to open the top jaw, while alligators open their bottom.Alligators and crocodiles jaws are hinged the same. Both animals hinge their jaws on the bottom, the top jaw is simply an extension of the skull. Alligators are immune to the bite of poisonous snakes.Alligators are not immune to snake poison. However, they do have extremely tough skin, and an armored back protected by bony plates called scutes. It is possible that this protection may prevent a snake's fangs from penetrating the skin. They have lived longer than dinosaurs.