Saving Wildlife International

Scientific name: alligator mississippiensis

Status: Threatened

Facts: Alligators can grow over 14 feet and can weigh up to 1000 pounds! Their lifespan is up to 50+ years. Alligators and crocodiles can easily be confused. However, they each have their own unique characteristics. Alligators also have a wider snout compared to the more narrow snout of the crocodile. Alligators have pits in the upper jaw, so you cannot see their teeth as well as a crocodile's when their mouths are closed. Alligators are the top predator in the marshlands where they live. They feed on almost anything, including mammals, birds, fish, insects, crustaceans, and even turtles.

Range: American Alligators are found throughout the southeast part of the United States from Florida and the Carolinas to Texas and north to Arkansas.

Status: Over one million alligators were killed for their hides in the state of Florida between 1930 and 1940. The American Alligator has been federally protected since 1967, preceding the endangered species act of 1973. They were removed from the endangered species list in 1987.

"Gumbo"

"Boo"

Scientific name: Variegata Variegata

Status: ENDANGERED

Facts: Black and white ruffed lemurs belong to a primitive group of primates called prosimians. They live high in the tree of the rainforest in family groups of 6-20 individuals. They are vegetarians, eating mainly fruits, leaves, nectar, and seeds. Lemurs reach sexual maturity at the age of 2, breeding in May and June. After a gestation period of 90 to 120 days, they can have up to 6 babies, but most commonly have 2.

The lemur's lifespan is 15 to 20 years. Special bonds between family members are reinforced by grooming body hair. Lemurs have 6 long teeth on their bottom jaw that act like a comb. Ruffed lemurs have many vocalizations for different emotions, including a series of alarm calls for warning the group of potential predators.

Range: All lemurs are found only on the island of Madagascar, off the southeast coast of Africa. Black and White ruffed lemurs are found up to 1200 meters above sea level in the eastern rainforest. Madagascar's eastern lowland rainforest is being converted to farmland at an alarming rate, further threatening the already endangered lemurs.

Status: The Black and White Ruffed Lemur is one of 55 living species and sub-species of lemur. They are listed on the endangered species list as an endangered species. In 1997, a group of 5 individuals was reintroduced to the wild and a second group of 4 was reintroduced in 1998. Future plans to reintroduce more lemurs is scheduled over the next several years.

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