...ALLIGATORS- Organism Physiology Jennifer Ayoub http://www.daufuskieislandconservancy.org/index.php?page=american-alligator The organism that I am going to discuss in this paper is the Alligator. The name "alligator" is an anglicized form of el lagarto, the Spanish term for "the lizard", which early Spanish explorers and settlers in Florida called the alligator. The alligator The alligator is from the crocodilia family and is found normally in the north and even the south. Alligators can grow as big as 14ft and 970 lbs. The largest alligator is in Lousiana and is 72 yrs old. When the alligators reproduce their populations they are found as far in the north as 35 degrees latitude in the freshwater marshes and rivers of coastal North Carolina, and they are also found in the far south as 25 degrees latitude in the Florida Keys. Some of the alligators live in the ocean and they are known as “Salties”. They can't live in the salt water because they dont have the saltwater glands. These different areas are exposed to very different annual thermal cycles. Alligators stop eating when the water temperature drops below 16 degrees C. This anorexia lasts for about 6 months at 35 degrees latitude. In southwest, Louisiana alligators stop feeding in October and they do not resume feeding until the late March or early April. The only time that the alligators grow is in the warmer months, this is their growing season, because they are constantly feeding during this...
Words: 1254 - Pages: 6
...and muscle. Then they swim off, into mucky, filthy water and yet they still do not get any kind of major infection. Humans exposed to the same type of battles and the same disgusting water they would have a devastating outcome, possibly death. This gave him and others ideas to check into their blood to see if they had something humans lacked. In 1998, Dr. Merchant found that American Alligators have a powerful antibiotic in their blood. Dr. Merchant demonstrated the “unscientific” evidence suggesting that reptile are resistant to bacterial infection. He identified reasons these creatures were immune to infection. Like humans, they have a natural defense system against invading bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which involves a group of proteins called the complement system. So Dr. Merchant tested his theory by exposing the alligator blood to pathogens such as HIV, West Nile Virus, and E Coli. His results- it started to kill the bacteria. As it turned out the alligator complement system is much more effective than that of humans. The problem: no possibility of isolating the crocodile or alligator cell(s) that could be given to...
Words: 929 - Pages: 4
...The American alligator is native to many states that are in the south in the United States. Alligators like to live in the southern states where it is warmer even during the winter for example; Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Texas. The water is much warmer in the south since is closer to the equator. Not only do they like to live in warm water but also in freshwater. They create burrows that go as deep as 20 feet on the bottom. Alligators live in rivers lakes and other small bodies of water. All Alligators and every other animal have to start somewhere there are 4 different life stages of the American Alligator. To begin the Alligators life it starts in the egg stage. Like any other living organism it needs to be able to go and develop enough inside its mother to survive growing all the necessary organs to live. The second stage is the juvenile stage. This stage is when the Alligator hatches from the egg and starts its life living in the world. As soon as they come out of the egg the mother brings them straight to the water there they start their hunting life even though they are small. Moving along in their life is the stage called adulthood. Adulthood is when they are now old enough to produce their own eggs be on their own and breed with other Alligators. In addition to the life stages of the Alligator is how long the Alligator will live its life for. Alligators depending on the condition Alligators can live anywhere from...
Words: 630 - Pages: 3
...The Everglades..... a beautiful place home to many creatures from around the world such as snakes, birds, many marine life, crocodiles, and of course gators. The Everglades is a very important place for many reasons. A lot of people who live in Florida rely on everglades for resources. Second of all the Everglades is home to many different species from around the state, country and the world as well. Some of the species who live in the Everglades are endangered so they rely on the Everglades as well for resources so they can reproduce. The third and final reason why humans should care about the Everglades is because of all the wetlands that are in there. Wetlands are for caring and for nurturing, almost like a hospital or a daycare. Most people refer to as the "Waste Lands". The first reason why the Everglade is a very important place to be is because of its resources that it has to offer. To us humans the Everglades is a thankful place to thank. The everglades supplies with many things such as water, food, and beautiful wildlife and...
Words: 733 - Pages: 3
...Evolution of the Alligator Evolution of the Alligator One of the most highly evolved animals on the Earth today is the alligator. Found mainly in the swamps and warmer climates of the earth, these predators are one of the few animals left that existed when the dinosaurs roamed the planet. Over the millennia, they have evolved into one of the most feared and interesting creatures today. However, the modern alligator is a far cry from its ancestral roots. Today, by looking at the anatomy of the alligator there are many similarities between alligators and humans. (Jones, 2011) Most of their internal organs are located in roughly the same place as a human. The liver and spleen are just above the stomach while the intestines are below, and their spine runs down the middle of their back. The most interesting feature of the alligator is the mouth. The most noted feature often is the long nose and mouth. The nose and mouth is long for two reasons. First, it allows for the alligator to breathe while the rest of his body is underwater, and second to handle the force load of its powerful jaws when it closes. The bite of an alligator has been measures at over 2,100 pounds. That’s the equivalent of a car landing on top of a human. (Viegas, 2003) The mouth has evolved of the centuries to handle the pressure exerted. It is believed that alligators were first primarily land creatures that ranged in size from cats to bears. At the time, there were also some species that lives...
Words: 945 - Pages: 4
...particular ecosystem. (Insert diagram) The Florida Everglades is a vast stretching river that occupies much of central and southern Florida. Florida’s Everglades is home to a diverse ecosystem of bacterial, tropical and subtropical plants, trees, reptiles, animals, and aquatic life. These various species comprise the balance of the Everglade ecosystem. Each species plays a pivotal role in maintaining a vigorous striving environment. The Everglades sustains a semitropical climate with wet summers, dry winters, and is susceptible to hurricanes during the summer and early autumn months (Aber, 2009). Organisms found in the Everglades Plants The Everglades is home to a wide diversity of plants. The two million acre wetland ecosystem is inhibited by wetland plants that include sawgrass, bladderwort, cypress, mangrove trees, and others that serve as primary food sources and shelters for many consumers of this habitat (National Wildlife Federation, 2012). Animals The Everglades is home to numerous species of animals including those native to the lands, threatened, and considered endangered. Wildlife populaces include over 350 bird species including the Great Blue heron, great egret, and wood stork. Land dwellers that inhibit the Everglades include Alligator and crocodile reptiles, Florida panther, Burmese python, West-Indian Manatee, sea turtles, and raccoon just to name a few. The Everglades most endangered animal is the Florida panther, of which approximately only 80 now...
Words: 2596 - Pages: 11
...Threats to the Everglades There are three major threats to the Everglades: water control, introduced species and development (Florida Museum of Natural History, n.d.). In short, the biggest threat to the Everglades was humanity itself, which in his historical greed and shortsightedness sought to completely re-write the entire ecosystem to suit himself. The longest ranging problem threatening the everglades was the draining that was started in the early 1900's. Government sanction was given and the Army Corps of Engineers began work on a series of canals to drain the wetlands. There were 5 done: Miami, North New River, Hillsboro, West Palm Beach, and St. Lucie, each draining approximately 900 acres of wetlands (Historical Society of Palm Beach County, 2009). A) Simulated satellite image of original Everglades. B) Satellite image (circa 1995) showing the historic Everglades boundary, water conservation areas (WCAs), the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), and other landmarks (Harvey, Loftus, & Rehage, 2010, para. 1-2). As can be seen in the photos the majority of what was originally a specialized and ecologically diverse area has been repurposed: the wetlands drained the area industrialized. This has led to an enormous loss of habitat for marsh birds, reptiles and plants. Agricultural pollution has also decimated the habitat and according to Everglades Foundation (2006-2012), Extremely low levels of nutrients, such as phosphorus, are part of the reason...
Words: 817 - Pages: 4
...different type of restaurant that sits on an ocean side dock. The World Quest Resort is a luxurious and well put together hotel that makes you feel like your in the mediterranean,because that's the theme of the hotel. Orlando, Florida is one of the most populated city and an entertaining place to be in. The World Quest Resort is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy all sorts of indoor and outdoor activities. Visitors will undoubtedly enjoy the price of the hotel fo “128-89 dollars for...
Words: 809 - Pages: 4
...sometimes can contain enough algal toxins in their systems that they become hazardous to eat. Ecosystem’s evasive species The Burmese python has its origins in Southeast Asia and was introduced in Everglades in 1979. Perhaps no other invasive species has attracted as much media attention at Burmese pythons in Florida, particularly after spectacular photographs and eyewitness accounts of struggles between native alligators and these snakes were released. Burmese pythons have voracious appetites and have been found to eat animals ranging in size from wrens to white-tailed deer. A study by Michael Dorcas of Davidson College found some mammals populations have dropped 90 percent in areas populated by the pythons. They share the top of the food chain in the Everglades with alligators and prey on 39 endangered species and 41 additional rare species. They continue to be sold as pets; around 6,000 pythons were imported into Miami from 2003 to 2005. They are removed immediately from Everglades National Park; as of 2007, national park staff report extracting a total of 600 pythons. Another 300 were captured in 2008 alone. As of 2012, it's estimated 30,000 are living in South Florida in 2012. The Common Myna has its origins in Southeast Asia and was...
Words: 896 - Pages: 4
...Florida: More than Just Alligators and Manatees Josue Cajina COM/172 May 26, 2014 Nora Clarke Florida: More than Just Alligators and Manatees There are many species of animals in Florida of which the panther, alligator, crocodile, and manatee are the most popular, but there are other species equally interesting and beautiful, as the river otter, beaver, fox squirrel, key deer and over 500 different types of birds ("Great Florida Birding and Wild Life Trail", 2014). Although some of these species of animals are found in other states, Florida natives are unaware of the fauna diversity in their own backyard. The state of Florida offers 11 national parks ("National Park Service", n.d.) where both natives and tourists can spot these animals. For this reason, teaching people about Florida's lesser known animal species can help increase visits to Florida's National Parks, encourages outdoor activities, and raise conservation awareness in this state. Florida has both native and non-native animal species, but out of the native the most recognized species may be the alligator and manatee. Florida is home to more than just that and teaching people about its lesser known species can promote visits to Florida's National Parks. As mentioned earlier, there are 11 national parks ("National Park Service", n.d.) throughout the state, featuring the Everglades, which the National Parks Service describes as "The largest subtropical wilderness in the United States"...
Words: 1669 - Pages: 7
...Why Everglades? Everglades, why is it so Important.the everglades is home to some of the worlds most endangered and amazing species.but deep inside of everglades are hidden secrets that you have to look closely to find. Everglades has many food chains that are clearly visible.people come to florida to see the everglades cause of its beauty but there is also ugly things as well.pythons are native to the everglades but are overproducing causing the increase of pythons and the decrease of other animals.pythons are interfering with food chains among the everglades and they even are spotted in cities near. Wet Lands Most of everglades is in the category of wetland.wetlands are large amount of space covered by water(according to"wetland...
Words: 253 - Pages: 2
...The Everglades SCI 230 October 16, 2011 The Everglades I. Introduction II. Descriptions of Diversity of Life Forms A. People B. Animals 1. Birds 2. Fish 3. Mammals 4. Reptiles C. Plant 1. Lichens 2. Barks 3. Invasive Plants III. Biological Interrelationships of Life Forms | | | | | | A. Food Web 1. Plant Species 2. Algae Group 3. Animals 4. Fungi and Bacteria IV. Existing Preservations and Protections of Life Forms A. Environmental Factors B. Natural Features and Ecosystems V. Efforts Made for Preserving the Everglades A. Central Figures for Conservation B. Enactment of Laws to Protect the Environment VI. Preserving the Diversity of the Everglades A. The Clean Air Act B. Funding C. Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan VII. Conclusion The Everglades National Park In the United States, the Everglades National Park is considered the largest subtropical wasteland. It hosts a variety of rare and endangered species. Many groups of people and animals have landed in the Everglades making it their homeland. Everglades is home for well-known rare animals and plants. The marshes, forests, cypress, fish, animals, plants, and people depend on the ecosystem of the Everglades. Unfortunately, many of these plants and animals are found on the endangered species list for the United States. The Everglades...
Words: 1648 - Pages: 7
...Franklin County, Florida – where family fun begins Just imagine if you could find a place where you and your family could get away from the stressful everyday life that we normally encounter, even for just a weekend. I'm sure you can think of several places that you would love to escape to. But I have a place in mind right here in Florida that I visited not too long ago. It's a wonderful region where people of all ages can come to and experience their childhood family vacations. The place I'm talking about is Franklin County. One of my favorite outdoor recreational areas is St. George Island State Park. It features miles of unspoiled shoreline with hiking trails, boardwalks and observation decks. There is also a two-mile trail that is marked...
Words: 299 - Pages: 2
...The Florida Everglades is the name of the area that consists of subtropical wetlands on the southern tip of Florida. At one point, it extended from Lake Okeechobee 100 miles south to Florida Bay. Now, however, it is only 1/3 of its glory, since the Everglades National Park (what is left of the Everglades) only currently covers 1,509,000 acres at the southern tip of Florida. The two biggest abiotic components that are unique to the Everglades are weather and location. The weather plays a huge part because of the precipitation The weather is known to be warm, with a distinct wet and dry season. Despite having some dry periods, the area is known to have 40-70 inches of rain and that rainfall is what drains into Lake Okeechobee. Location is important because it is what determines the flow of water. Southern Florida is very flat and because the terrain is so flat, the rainwater that overflows from Lake Okeechobee during the rains is what creates a wide, shallow, slow-moving river that flows through the marshes. The ecosystems that make up the Everglades have been described as “both fragile and resilient” (Toops). Take for example, the Florida apple snail, which are an amphibious fresh water mollusk (Whitney). Apple snails must lay their eggs on sawgrass stalks around six inches above the water line because they are intolerant of being submerged for long periods of time. In that case, when the eggs hatch, this allows the young snails to enter the water quickly. If water...
Words: 780 - Pages: 4
...food chain needs to be balanced. The small animals eat the bacteria and bugs, the medium sized animals eat the small animals, and the large animals eat the medium sized animals. Everything is balanced. This eating machine eats every little thing on this list. The python could eat off a species. When one species goes, the whole chain gets messed up. This abrupt change could kill an animal above it causing the small animals to overpopulate, causing them to eat more bugs. Once all the bugs are gone, the small animals die. This one change of the python could destroy the whole entire ecosystem. In source 4, paragraph 4, it states, “We must do a better job of educating people about the effects their careless actions have on ecosystems here in Florida and around the world.” Idiots are roaming the Everglades, messing with animals’ homes. These people are walking through the Everglades and breaking plants and leaving trash. The whole ecosystem corrupts. The Burmese pythons are destroying the Everglades...
Words: 610 - Pages: 3
