Farm raised alligator diet
Because this process made the alligator skins soft, durable and more pliable, the demand for alligator leather increased dramatically. In 1972 the alligator season was opened only in Cameron Parish and lasted 13 days. Alligators do not chew their food but gulp it down completely or tear off and wolf down large chunks, leaving their powerful digestive juices to do the rest. These skins were used to make shoes and saddles for the Confederate troops during the Civil War. The small alligators are commonly found in large gatherings. Young alligators consume smorgasbord invertebrate fare, blue crabs, crayfish, aquatic insects, surface-walking spiders, fiddler crabs, errant grasshoppers, crustaceans, worms, fish, insects, and snails. The first reptiles appeared 300 million years ago and ancestors of the American alligator appeared 160 million years ago. Alligators are large territorial animals especially males, with largest species tend to defend the primarily territory. With the increase in its size, the size of the prey also increases and now they can prey on larger fish, several mammals, gar, turtles, nutria, muskrat, deer, birds, and other reptiles. The demand decreased when the leather made from the skins was thought not to be durable. Another requirement derived from CITES is the tagging of all alligators harvested. Mostly, alligators prefer to eat food which can be consumed in one bite. The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is the largest reptile in North America. Other parishes were gradually added until the season became statewide in 1981. The American alligator is by far the most apex predator within its range. Occasionally, they also consume ambush dogs, black bears, and Florida panther. Alligators primarily prey on smaller species which they kill with a single bite.
Reptiles are a cold-blooded animal, which means that their body temperature is regulated by the temperature of the environment around them. Depending entirely on the size and age, alligators feed on diverse kinds of food. Alligators have been harvested for some two hundred years. This makes it the apex predator all throughout its distribution. These animals also feed on carrion when there is not abundant food. Louisiana is currently harvesting less than 2% of the wild population annually. CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an agreement between 175 countries to adhere to guidelines concerning international trade of certain wild animals and plants so as to not threaten their survival. They seldom attack humans and the fact that humans have encroached many of their habitats, a handful number of attacks have been reported. The reduction in numbers was a result of non-regulated harvests. Each year biologists also use these instruments, as well as many others, to set alligator harvest and alligator egg collection quotas statewide. These alligators were harvested for their skins which were used to make boots, shoes and saddles, and for their oil used to grease steam engines and cotton mills. This is why alligators are seen basking in the sun, trying to regulate their body temperature. An adult alligator can gain a weigh of fifty pounds of prey each year, and it can also survive for one year without eating. In 1962 the alligator hunting season was closed statewide due to low numbers. Despite its bulky size and weight, alligators are capable to make short bursts to grasp preys on land.
