alligator soaking up the warmth of the winter sun in the bayou an hour outside of new orleans louisiana

reptile animal wildlife plant tree branch lizard alligators soaking warmth winter bayou orleans lousiaina american alligator gator crocodilian native southeastern states apex predators reptiles hatchlings ecosystem wetland ecosystems wet habitats organisms breeding season bellow mates eggs nest vegetation mud water protected marsh marshland area low-lying land flooded seasons high tide typically remains waterlogged times coastline coast sea grass tract soft characterized monocotyledons grasses cattails bog fen mire moork morass muskeg slough sun hour outside louisiana amphibians mammals infrasound attract