This informative story explores the fascinating world of the American alligator, one of only two alligator species remaining today. As cold-blooded reptiles and carnivorous creatures, alligators can grow significantly, sometimes exceeding fifteen feet in length. The narrative highlights their ancient lineage as "living fossils," dating back approximately 200 million years and related closely to crocodiles and caimans. Found primarily in the southeastern United States, American alligators are described in detail, from their distinctive "U" shaped snouts and the olive, brown, or gray skin on their backs to their nocturnal hunting habits. The story also compares them with crocodiles, noting differences such as snout shape and visibility of teeth. Furthermore, it touches upon their unique reproductive behaviors, with mothers tending to their eggs in nests insulated by rotting vegetation. The final pages discuss the alligator's role in farming industries, valued for their hides and meat, and their comeback from the brink of extinction thanks to the Endangered Species Act.