The American alligator, which escaped extinction 65 million years ago, was nearly wiped out in the marshes and swamps of Louisiana and Florida in the last century. Today, they are thriving. This exciting book tells the story of how government protection, habitat preservation, and a campaign to reduce the demand for alligator products helped bring back these fierce-looking predators. Teacher's guide available.

Explains why American alligators became an endangered species, and describes the efforts of scientists to bring them back from the brink of extinction.

Scientists believe American alligators have been around for nearly 150 million years, but they came close to going extinct. American Alligator explores the alligator's key role in its habitat, how hunting and habitat changes almost led to its extinction, and how efforts such as egg collection and controlled hunting help to preserve the species. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

In this book, readers will learn basic scientific facts about alligators, including the all-important characteristics that distinguish alligators from crocodiles, and how caring individuals, along with the government and other organizations, cooperated to make alligators a conservation success story.

Discusses what American alligators are, why they are endangered, what their current status is, and what is being done to help them. Includes Internet links to Web sites related to American alligators.

Describes the characteristics, habitats, and life cycle of the American alligator. Includes photo diagram.

Readers are introduced the habitat and lifestyle of the American Alligator and learn how the American Alligator is making a comeback from near extinction. Find out how people in the southeastern United States are learning to live with these amazing creatures.

The American alligator (alligator mississippiensis) is one of two living alligator species and is native only to the, southeastern United States. The other larger living alligator species is the Chinese alligator. Alligators come to us from a prehistoric era which makes these comeback kids even more amazing! They survived their prehistoric relatives all the way into the 21st century in spite of being hunted for their skins and for meat by both natives to America as well as by those who settled here! Alligators are not an endangered species, but they are legally protected, and they are classified as threatened because they a lot look like the American crocodile, which is an endangered species. As a result of earlier unregulated and unrestricted killing of the American Alligator, the alligator population noticeably decreased. Hunting restrictions in the 1940's and 50's slowed decline, but illegal poaching during the late 1950's and 1960's resulted in further decrease in populations. Extensive poaching continued until 1970 when an amendment to the federal Lacey Act made the interstate shipment of illegally-taken alligators a federal violation. Combined with reduced demand for alligator skins (brought about by outcries for protection of the species during the [politically active late 1960's and 1970's) poaching was nearly eliminated. These photographs were taken near Fort Myers Florida in the everglades, where the American alligator continues its comeback. Once again, we had to do nothing except refrain from what we were doing to change the course of this keystone species.

American alligators are fierce predators. But wild boars are no easy prey. What would happen if these two crossed paths? In this high-low title, readers will learn about the weapons and attack moves of these two dangerous animals. Special features highlight the weapons of these animals while profiles show their size, range, and habitat. Readers will not want to miss this exciting title!