AnAge entry for Alligator mississippiensis

Classification (HAGRID: 02877)

Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata
        Class: Reptilia (Taxon entry)
            Order: Crocodilia
                Family: Alligatoridae
                    Genus: Alligator
Species: Alligator mississippiensis
Common name: American alligator
Synonyms: Alligator mississipiensis, Crocodilus mississipiensis

Maximum longevity: 77 years (captivity)
Source: ref. 1298
Sample size: Large
Data quality: High
Observations: These are long-lived animals that appear to show indeterminate growth. In captivity, they can reach sexual maturity at 6 years of age. Several captive American alligators over the age of 70 have been reported [1298]. In the wild, food availability influences growth and sexual maturation with food scarcity being linked to a slower growth and a delayed maturity [0586]. A decline in egg production in females over 30 years of age has been reported [0527]. A specimen called "Saturn", who survived in Berlin during World War Two, died in Moscow Zoo in 2020 at an estimated age of 84, but this has not been confirmed.

: No information is available on life history. Please contact us if you wish to suggest or contribute data.

[1249] Nilsen et al. (2016), Global DNA methylation loss associated with mercury contamination and aging in the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) (PubMed)
[1298] Weigl (2014), Longevity of crocodilians in captivity
[1142] Kohler et al. (2006), Comparative mortality levels among selected species of captive animals
[0586] Lance (2003), Alligator physiology and life history: the importance of temperature (PubMed)
[0037] Gillooly et al. (2001), Effects of size and temperature on metabolic rate (PubMed)
[0019] Patnaik (1994), Ageing in reptiles (PubMed)
[0527] Castanet (1994), Age estimation and longevity in reptiles (PubMed)
[0485] Andrew Snider and J. Bowler (1992), Longevity of Reptiles and Amphibians in North American Collections, Second Edition