I am a crocodilian in the genus Alligator of the family Alligatoridae. The two living species of me, are the American alligator (A. mississippiensis) and the Chinese alligator (A. sinensis). In addition, several extinct bretheren r are known from fossil remains. I first appeared during the Paleocene epoch about 37 million years ago.

I live in freshwater environments, such as ponds, marshes, wetlands, rivers, lakes, and swamps, as well as in brackish environments. When I construct holes in the wetlands, they increase plant diversity and provide habitat for other animals during droughts. I am, therefore, considered an important species for maintaining ecological diversity in wetlands.

When I was young I used to eat fish, insects, snails, crustaceans, and worms. As I have matured, I like to eat larger animals, including larger fish such as gar, turtles, and various mammals, particularly coypu and muskrat, as well as birds, deer, and other reptiles.