Imagine if we could take home our favorite zoo animals. That would be truly wild if that animal were an alligator! While it's best to leave alligators just where they are, this entertaining volume details interesting facts about these amazing creatures, including information about their adaptations and habitats. Beautiful action photographs accompany and support the enlightening and engaging low-ATOS text.

A boy puts on an alligator head and tail and is transformed into an alligator boy.

The ultimate guide to understanding the biology and behavior of the amazing and underappreciated American alligator. Few scenes put the senses on edge more than a submerged alligator, only eyes and snout showing, when peering across a southern lake on a misty morning. An iconic American predator, these reptiles grow to thirteen feet or more and can live as long as humans. Alligators are complex creatures, capable of terrific attacks and yet tending to their young in the same gentle way a mother duck looks after her brood. Once extremely numerous, alligators came close to extinction in the twentieth century, but thanks to conservation efforts have since made a comeback, reclaiming their rightful place as the monarchs of the southern wetlands. In this fascinating account, richly illustrated with more than 150 photographs from award-winning wildlife photographer Wayne Lynch, expert zoologist Kent A. Vliet introduces readers to the biology, ecology, and natural history of the American alligator. Sharing nuanced depictions of their hidden lives that will forever change the way you think of these giant reptiles, the book • combines captivating storytelling with the most current scientific facts • chronicles the life cycle of the alligator • explains why the alligator's precise anatomy and physiology make it so successful • covers a wide range of topics, from courtship and reproduction to communication, basking, nest-building, and hunting • reveals the alligator's sophisticated social life in detail • evaluates the alligator's environmental role as a keystone species • examines the complicated relationship between alligators and people

With razor-sharp teeth, crushing bite force, uncanny patience, and shocking speed, the Alligator is the Swamp's apex predator. This book offers an excellent look at the alligators who live and hunt in the swamps and wetlands of the southeastern United States. Physical traits are examined in richly detailed text and dynamic photographs, while fact-filled sidebars offer additional context on the swamps that are an alligator's hunting ground, and the species that are its prey.

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.

Based on the integrated and holistic approach, the book systematically and comprehensively covers a general account of taxonomical, morphological, anatomical and physiological features of chordates. The text does not restrict discussion only to a representative genus in each class, but also provides knowledge of other important genera, and gives their general account and comparative features to help students understand animal diversity in the phylum. Besides the type study, the book also deals with the developmental and ecological aspects of the genera discussed. The book is intended to fulfill the curriculum need of B.Sc. Zoology, Life Sciences, Biological Sciences and Animal Sciences as well as M.Sc. Zoology students for their core course on chordata (chordates). Additionally, the students appearing for various competitive examinations and entrance test for postgraduate courses in the related fields will find this book useful. KEY FEATURES  Incorporates the topics of modern research such as Fish as Biocontrol Agents, Mimicry in Birds, Nesting and Brooding Behaviour of Birds, and so on.  Compares important genera of the class—morphological, anatomical and adaptive features.  Well-illustrated coloured diagrams with meticulous details and labelling for clear understanding of anatomy.  Important information nested in boxes, points to remember and classification in the form of flow charts add strength to each chapter.  Provides a variety of pedagogically arranged interactive exercises for self assessment—from fill in the blanks, true/false statements, give reasons to MCQs. Also, the readers can check their answers online at www.phindia/pandey-mathur