|
State Symbols
|
|
|
|
Official state symbols represent the cultural heritage
and natural treasures of each state or the entire United States |
|
| |
Mississippi Symbols
|
|
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
|
| |
|
|
Mississippi State Reptile
American Alligator
(Alligator Mississippiensis)
Adopted on July 1, 2005.
SB 2060: The American Alligator to be designated as the Mississippi State
Reptile; provide. Sen. Tommy Moffatt (Gautier) 02/21—Approved by Governor. Adopted on July 1, 2005.
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Moffatt, Burton, Dawkins, Little, Robertson, Thames
Senate Bill 2060
(As Sent to Governor)
AN ACT TO DESIGNATE THE AMERICAN ALLIGATOR AS THE STATE REPTILE; AND FOR
RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
WHEREAS, the American Alligator is found in the southeastern United States
from Texas to Florida, and from South Carolina to the Gulf Coast. They are
found in both natural and manmade freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers and
wetland areas; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
estimates that there are 32,000-38,000 alligators and about 408,000 acres of
alligator habitat in Mississippi. Alligator reports have come from as far
north as Coahoma, Lafayette and Itawamba Counties, and as far south as the
coastal counties of Jackson, Harrison and Hancock; and
WHEREAS, alligators are important to the ecology of their habitat. During
droughts, they dig holes, or dens, which provide water for the wildlife
community. The alligators construct these "gator holes" with their large
sweeping tails that retain water during periods of drought. This provides
water and foraging space for many other species, such as wading birds; and
WHEREAS, alligators are unique in that, unlike other reptiles, female
alligators will protect their young for up to two years after hatching. We
feel this sets a good example for all animal parents. They have proven
themselves to be highly resilient to both natural and induced mortality. In
fact, they are known to have existed before the dinosaurs--more than 200
million years ago; and
WHEREAS, alligators are one of the few animals that have been listed as
endangered and rallied back again.
SECTION 1. The American Alligator (Alligator Mississippiensis) is hereby
designated the State Reptile of Mississippi.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1,
2005.
Common Names
American alligator, Mississippi alligator, Pike-headed
alligator, "gator"
Description
Adults males typically reach
13 to 14.7 feet, although there are several unconfirmed reports of larger at 16.4 feet and even adults (19.8 feet is the largest
"reported", though there are doubts over its veracity) having been found or
killed in the 19th and 20th centuries. Such sizes seem unlikely for this
species. Females reach lengths of just under 9.8 feet.
The
snout is characteristically broad, although this varies slightly between
populations. Captive animals have been shown to grow significantly broader
jaws compared with wild alligators, mainly due to differences in diet. When
the mouth is closed, the edge of the upper jaw overlaps teeth in the lower
jaw, which therefore fit into depressions in the upper jaw. This is unlike
Crocodylus and Gavialis in which the lower teeth fit into depressions on the
outside of the upper jaw. A bony nasal bridge is present, similar to that
seen in the spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) but not as pronounced.
Juveniles are essentially miniature versions of their parents, although they
possess bright yellow cross-bands on a black background - disruptive
camouflage. More western populations (which may have been historically
isolated from eastern populations) are reported to have white speckling
around the jaws, with paler coloration on their bodies and tails.
Older alligators gradually lose the yellow banding and turn
olive brown and black, although areas around the jaws and on the neck and
belly are creamy white. The ventral surface is pale, but most scales
especially nearer the tail possess significant amounts of black. Ventral
osteoderms (bony plates) are present in the belly scales of all American
alligators, although the extent varies between populations and the skin is
considered quite valuable. The color of the eyes is similar to many other
crocodilians, being generally olive green but variable.
Wild adult
populations have been observed to fall into two general forms: those which
are long and thin, and those which are short and stocky. Variation in growth
rate, diet, climate and other factors are likely responsible for these
differences.
Habitat
Primarily freshwater swamps and marshes, but also in rivers,
lakes and smaller bodies of water. They can tolerate a reasonable degree of
salinity for short periods of time, being occasionally found in brackish
water around mangrove swamps, although they lack the buccal salt-secreting
glands present in crocodiles.
Construction of burrows is well documented in
this species. The burrows are used for shelter and hibernation when the
seasonal temperatures fall. Even outside their burrows, they can tolerate
limited periods of freezing conditions. They modify their habitat through the creation
of 'alligator holes', which provide a refuge for other animals during dry
periods. These are excavated using both snout and tail. Once these dry out,
however, the alligator crosses land in order to find another body of water.
Alligators near human habitation are often seen crossing roads, entering
suburbs and finding shelter in swimming pools during the drier months.
|
|
State Symbols
|
|
|
State symbols represent things that are special to a
particular state.
symbol \ˈsim-bəl\
noun
Etymology:
in sense 1, from Late Latin symbolum, from Late Greek symbolon, from Greek, token, sign; in
other senses from Latin symbolum token, sign, symbol, from Greek symbolon, literally, token
of identity verified by comparing its other half, from symballein to throw together,
compare, from syn- + ballein to throw — more at devil
Date: 15th century
1: Something that represents something else by association, resemblance, or
convention, especially a material object used to represent something invisible.
|
|
|
| |
|
