It was once common to see male alligators 5 to 6 meters in length; however, today it is rare to see one over 4.5 meters. Females are much smaller, reaching an average length of only 3 meters. The alligator snout is broad with the edge of the upper jaw overlapping the teeth of the lower jaw. The juveniles are miniature versions of their parents, having what is known as disruptive camouflage. They have bright yellow bands across a black background. As juveniles get older, their black and yellow coloring fades to brown and green. Their eyes are silvery in color. Adults generally take one of two forms: long and thin or short and stocky

Alligator populations were dwindling up until the legal protection of the 1960s. Their belly skin produces a high quality leather. This led to increased hunting pressures early in the century, especially in Louisiana and Florida. The species has recovered well thanks to properly controlled conservation and sustainable use programs. The populations have improved considerably and are now only considered to be threatened in some states by habitat destruction.
Alligators will eat just about anything, but primarily consume fish, turtles, and snails. Small animals that come to the water's edge to drink make easy prey for the voracious alligator. Young alligators mostly feed on insects, crustaceans, snails, and fish

.Along with the population increase there has come an increase in human-gator interaction on the edge of alligator habitat. Some communities have nuisance alligator programs in effect where individuals who have roamed too far are relocated; usually these are smaller about 4 feet long or less. Currently the population dynamics, though important, are poorly understood. Habitat modification is generally the demise of any population; however, proper management can benefit local populations. Increased education is the best long-term approach to these problems.