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235-225 mya
The alligator of this time was known as the Gracilisuchus. This creature lived, specifically during the Middle Triassic Period (235-225 mya). This alligator form was very dinosaur-like. It lived in the swamps of South America. Modern-day alligators live in swamps, however they no longer reside in South America. The alligator was about 1 foot long. It weighed only a few pounds. Today’s alligator is 13x longer and about 600x heavier. The Gracilisuchus’ diet consisted of insects and extremely small -
215-205 mya
This period’s alligator was known as the Mystriosuchus. It was found in the swamps of Western Europe. Just as before, modern-day alligators live in swamps, but not in Western Europe. This creature existed about 215-205 mya. This gives a 10 million year space of time between the Gracilisuchus and the Mystriosuchus. The Mystriosuchus, physically, was very different from its ancestor. It still has a long tail, however it had a long snout. Its diet contained of strictly fish. Its predecessor did not -
154-144 mys
Phytosaurs existed in the late jurassic period and bored a remarkably close resemblance to the modern alligators and crocodiles in size, appearance, and life-style. They belonged to the family Phytosauridae and the order Phytosauria.They were a group of large semi-aquatic thecodonts. They ranged from a size of 2-12 feet but averaged at about 3-4 feet. They had long snouts and were heavily armored. Phtyosaurs exised in Europe, North America, India, Morocco, Thailand, and Madagascar. -
84 mya
Crocodilians first appeared in the late Cretaceous period about 84 million years ago. They very closely resembled modern day reptiles such as crocodiles, caimans, and specifically alligators. They had an elongated snout, powerful jaws, muscular tail, large protective scales, streamlined body, and eyes and nostrils that were positioned on top of the head. Crocodilians were carnivores. They would capture their prey by lunging out of the water and taking the by surprise. -
Modern Day
The modern alligator falls into the Animal Kingdom, the Reptilia Class, and of course the Genus Alligator. An adult alligator is around 800 pounds, 13 feet long, and has 75 teeth. The modern alligator resides in the US and China only. They live in freshwater environments. This includes ponds, rivers, marshes, lakes, and swamps. Alligators are territorial creatures. They are very fast, but only in short periods of time. They prey on small animals. This includes gar, turtles, muskrats, birds, deer
