They are terrifying, terrifying, and frightening. Yet at first glance, they remain invisible: these prehistoric monsters, belonging to one of the oldest species still living on Earth. Hidden in the deep grass and beneath duckweed, their dark gray shells resemble tree trunks. Alligator Alley is the best place to meet Mississippi alligators, the oldest prehistoric monsters on earth.
Only when these gruesome giants slowly stir does their monstrous power become apparent. One bite could split a tree. A slash of their tail could dent a car door. The Alligator genus originated between 38 and 26 million years ago. The Mississippi alligators (Alligator mississippiensis), also known as the pickerel alligator, lived in the southeastern United States for millions of years before the first humans arrived.
The teeth are also arranged differently: when the alligator's mouth is closed, only the upper jaw teeth are visible, while the crocodile's lower jaw teeth are also visible. Alligators prefer freshwater habitats, while crocodiles can also be found in saltwater. Alligator Alley is home exclusively to alligators, who are free to roam freely in their natural habitat.
