Alligators’ silent armored presence fascinates me.  Only two species of alligators exist - the American alligator of southeastern U.S., and the rare Chinese alligator (Yangtse River).  Along with the 21 other species of crocodiles, gharials, and caiman, they are the last living close dinosaur relatives, appearing 250 million years ago, during the Triassic period.  Species we see today have changed little over 65 million years.

And time is a good teacher!  Hatchling alligators (6”-8” long), are vulnerable to raccoons, snakes, herons, egrets, otters, osprey, large fish- even other alligators- until they reach about 4’ in length.  Then, the table will turn, and those very same animals will become alligator prey!  In the meantime, with unparalleled behavior for the reptile world, alligator mommas will provide toothy fierce protection for their babies for 1-2 years!

I just had to capture this tender time in sculpture!

(5% of AFC sale will be donated to the Everglades Coalition (60 local, state, and national conservation and environmental organizations dedicated to restoration of the Greater Everglades ecosystem.)

(Price includes 2" Walnut Base.)