The ultimate guide to understanding the biology and behavior of the amazing and underappreciated American alligator.

Few scenes put the senses on edge more than a submerged alligator, only eyes and snout showing, when peering across a southern lake on a misty morning. An iconic American predator, these reptiles grow to thirteen feet or more and can live as long as humans. Alligators are complex creatures, capable of terrific attacks and yet tending to their young in the same gentle way a mother duck looks after her brood. Once extremely numerous, alligators came close to extinction in the twentieth century, but thanks to conservation efforts have since made a comeback, reclaiming their rightful place as the monarchs of the southern wetlands.

In this fascinating account, richly illustrated with more than 150 photographs from award-winning wildlife photographer Wayne Lynch, expert zoologist Kent A. 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

Renowned wildlife photographer Wayne Lynch is the author or coauthor of numerous books, including Owls of the United States and Canada: A Complete Guide to Their Biology and Behavior and Polar Bears: A Complete Guide to Their Biology and Behavior.

Kent A. Vliet's profile page

Wayne Lynch
Recognized and respected as one of North America's leading wildlife and natural history photographers, Wayne Lynch has spent the last forty-two years capturing images of wildlife in wild places the world over. His impressive photo credits include hundreds of magazine covers, thousands of calendar shots, and tens of thousands of images published in over sixty countries. Lynch is also an award-winning science writer, a popular guest lecturer, and a veteran photo safari leader. His practical and entertaining approach to natural history, whether it be through the written or spoken word, has attracted the admiration of audiences worldwide. He has photographed both common and unusual creatures in their native habitat in more than fifty countries, travelling extensively for long periods of time and often undergoing considerable physical hardship to get the "perfect shot."

With an exceptional ability to write for both adults and children, Lynch has authored more than fifth highly acclaimed natural history books, including The Great Northern Kingdom: Life in the Boreal Forest, Wild Birds Across the Prairies, Penguins of the World,Mountain Bears, Bear: Monarchs of the Northern Wilderness, A is for Arctic: Natural Wonders of a Polar World, The Nature Babies Series and the wildly popular children's book The Scoop on Poop: The Fascinating Science of How Animals Use Poop.

Lynch is a Fellow of the internationally recognized Explorers Club and Fellow of the Arctic Institute of North America. Lynch lives in Calgary with his wife of forty-five years, Aubrey Lang.

Wayne Lynch's profile page