The Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) is a reptile in the alligator family. It is a relative of the American alligator but slightly differs in physical appearance. It’s smaller and it has several bony plates that the American alligator lacks. It grows to be around 5 feet long and weighs around 70 pounds. This is half the size of American alligators. This is a good video that shows all the details of their body. The Chinese alligator is the only one in the family that doesn’t live in the Americas. They are found in slow-moving rivers or lakes in China. They can live for around 70 years. They mostly eat snails, insects, and fish, but sometimes eat small mammals. They have blunt teeth that they use to crush shells.

Chinese alligators have some communication. They young call out to adults which respond to them. They also have a bellowing sound that they use to share location. They also have non-verbal signs such as slapping the water with their jaws or snapping their jaws as a warning.

Fun Fact: Chinese dragons were based off of the Chinese alligator

They mate with any number of other alligators but have close ties if they are born together. Chinese alligators can communicate from egg to egg and are raised with the other alligators in their nest. Females lay about 24 eggs. The sex of the Chinese alligator is determined by how hot or cold it is during the egg’s incubation. Females happen in temperatures 28 degrees Celsius or lower and males happen in 33 degrees Celsius or higher.

Chinese alligators dig earth tunnels that they stay in during the day and in the winter when they are dormant. After the winter they come out and sit in the sun. Since they are ectotherms and cannot produce their own heat it is important that they can warm up. They can also use the water to stay warm or cool down. They are mainly nocturnal animals. They are considered the most docile of all the alligators and crocodiles.

There are only around 150 Chinese alligators in the wild. Their population has continued to decline over the past several years. They are in danger of being hunted by humans. They are protected by law but they are still hunted for meat for medicine and food. Young Chinese alligators can also be eaten by other alligators or by large fish. A major reason for their decline besides hunting is habitat loss. Their food supply has also been hurt by pesticides from farms. Today, they live in the bottom of the Yangtze River basin which floods every year, keeping humans from using it as farming or residency land. Many Chinese alligators have been bred in captivity but few are released. China is attempting to start a program where they release Chinese alligators since they can breed so many and because alligators generally adapt well to living in the wild. It is important that this is acted on soon because there are so few Chinese alligators left in the wild. They are important to preserve because they are major predators in their ecosystems and help to maintain balance in their habitat. They are listed as one of the 15 animals considered “precious and rare” in China and must be preserved. The Chinese Wildlife Conservation Society works with the Anhui Chinese Alligator Nature Reserve and the National Wildlife Research and Development Center of the State Forestry Administration to find suitable sites for releasing the alligators. They also host educational sessions to teach people about the importance of Chinese alligators. If you would like to help out you can donate to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute or donate to the Chinese Wildlife Conservation Society.

“Chinese alligator.” Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/chinese-alligator.

Groppi, Lauren. “Alligator sinensis Chinese alligator, T’o, Yow Lung, Yangtze alligator.” Animal Diversity Web, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Alligator_sinensis/.

Chinese alligator. Konica Minolta, www.konicaminolta.com/kids/endangered_animals/library/sea/chinese-alligator.html. Chinese alligator. Alligator Adventure, alligatoradventure.com/animals/detail/chinese-alligator. Chinese alligator. China.org, www.china.org.cn/environment/2012-04/19/content_25186324.htm.