american alligator in swamp water on hilton head island south carolina

adult aligator alligator alligatoridae american americano animal animalia black brackish carnivore carnivorous carolina chordata chordate coldblooded conservation crocodylia dangerous environment female florida freshwater gator georgia habitat head hhi hilton humid island jaws lake large lizardlike louisiana marsh menacing mississippi mississippiensis murky natural nature onceendangered oviparous pond predator protected reptile reptilia river scaly slowmoving south southeastern states strong subtropical sunny swamp thriving united usa vertebrate water wetlands