alligatorids

Alligatorids are a family of crocodylians comprising alligators and caimans. The family Alligatoridae is divided into two living subfamilies: Alligatorinae, which includes the true alligators, and Caimaninae, which contains the caimans. Members share features typical of crocodilians, such as a robust skull, a secondary palate, and armored skin with bony osteoderms along the back. A common distinguishing trait is the shape of the snout: alligators typically have broad, U-shaped snouts, while caimans often have more slender, V-shaped snouts.

Living alligatorids include two alligators and several caimanian lineages. The two alligator species are the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) and the Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis). The caiman group comprises multiple genera, including Caiman, Melanosuchus, and Paleosuchus, with species such as the spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus), the black caiman (Melanosuchus niger), and the dwarf caimans (Paleosuchus spp.).

Geographically, alligatorids inhabit freshwater environments in the Americas and eastern Asia. The American alligator ranges through the southeastern United States; the Chinese alligator is found in river systems in eastern China. Caima­ns are distributed across tropical Central and South America and the Caribbean, including the Amazon and Pantanal basins.

Ecology and behavior are similar to other crocodylians: alligatorids are semi-aquatic, diurnal and crepuscular, and rely on basking to regulate body temperature. They are opportunistic carnivores, feeding on fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and small mammals. Reproduction is oviparous; females build nests near water and provide parental care, with hatchling sex influenced by incubation temperature.

Conservation status varies. The American alligator has recovered from historic declines due to protection and habitat management, while the Chinese alligator remains endangered. Many caiman species are of least concern or near threatened, but habitat loss and hunting continue to impact several populations.