An animal learns to adapt to their environment by depending mostly on their physical features. already exists as an alternate of this question. American alligators are an important part of the environment and are therefore considered by many to be a “keystone” species. Alligators have nostrils at the end of their snouts. Of course, if water depth decreases too low or remains low for too long, prey become less numerous and alligator body condition suffers or cannibalism occurs, or both. Alligators are reptiles that live in China and the southeastern United States; their skin coloring gives them camouflage in swampy waters. . Not only do they control populations of prey species, they also create “alligator holes” that are used by other animals. As water depth decreases, prey becomes concentrated in alligator holes, alligators capture more prey, and body condition increases. This means they rely on hosts trees to help them stabilize and seek nutrients. When an alligator abandons a burrow, the hole left behind fills with freshwater and is utilized by other species for breeding and drinking. It is covered with large, strong, ossified, horny plates called osteoderms or scutes. Ever held one or felt an alligator before? and pick up things using only 4 fingers, instead of 5. It needs to be to withstand the daily abuse they undergo because of things like thick vegetation, prey fighting to get away, the sun, and many other things. Even though seaweed is very adaptable to any kind of environment, there are only two basic requirements... How Do Pigeons Adapt To Their Habitat? Have students describe how they adapt to different changes in their environment. Orchids are epiphytes. This is because alligators can't control their temperature internally. The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) ranges throughout the southeastern United States, and alligators within Everglades National Park exist at the southern extreme of their range.Alligators primarily inhabit freshwater swamps and marshes and can also be found in rivers, lakes, and smaller bodies of water. Ever held one or felt an alligator before? Alligators use their tails to dig burrows in mud for nesting and to keep warm. Answers.com ® Categories Animal Life Reptiles Alligators and Crocodiles Physical adaptations of the American alligator? How do we change for weather and seasons? That is, they react to a cold environment by slowing their metabolic activity, but certainly not to the deep torpor of true hibernation. Environment. Alligators primarily inhabit freshwater swamps and marshes and can also be found in … The alligator adapts to its environment by relying on its camouflaged hide, the position of its eyes and nostrils, the ability of its ears to close and its specialized organs. Where do they go during our winter cold months? Adaptations take a very long time. So, when they are cold, they sunbathe, and when they are hot, they go for a swim. Crocodiles adaptations include body armor that protects them from predators, strong jaw muscles that allow them to crush bones, a powerful immune system to fight off illness, behaviors that allow them to control body temperature, an evolved metabolism that allows them to go for extended periods without food, and the ability to shut down their body and live from its own tissue if the need arises. Have they ever seen one in real life? Crocodiles have slender snouts, while alligators’ are broader. Both the alligator's lungs and heart are adapted to long periods of time spent submerged in the water. Similar to hibernation in mammals, when temperatures drop, alligators enter into a state of brumation, wherein their metabolism slows as a way of preserving energy. Reptiles Contrary to popular belief, orchids are not parasites and don’t feed nutrients off their hosts. Many important questions concerning the effects of Everglades restoration on alligator populations remain unanswered such as impacts of canal removal, the role of alligator holes as aquatic refugia, and effects of hydrology on population growth and condition. How do we change for weather and seasons? Pterosaurs were a vast taxonomic order of flying animals (likely warm-blooded and covered with fuzz) which filled the ecological niche that birds currently occupy today.