Vliet introduces readers to the biology, ecology, and natural history of the American alligator. Sharing nuanced depictions of their hidden lives that will forever change the way you think of these giant reptiles, the book; combines captivating storytelling with the most current scientific facts; chronicles the life cycle of the alligator; explains why the alligator's precise anatomy and physiology make it so successful; covers a wide range of topics, from courtship and reproduction to communication, basking, nest-building, and hunting; reveals the alligator's sophisticated social life in detail; evaluates the alligator's environmental role as a keystone species; examines the complicated relationship between alligators and people
