Alligator mississippiensis

October 25, 2018

The American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is an apex predator and a keystone species in its natural environment. As a keystone species it has a disproportionately large impact on its environment and plays a critical role in maintaining the structure of its ecological community. Much like the American Beaver, alligators modify wetland habitats by constructing small ponds known as alligator holes. These ponds retain water during dry periods and provide habitat for many wetland organisms that actively seek out and depend on them for their survival. Alligators have become important in ecological recovery of wetlands and have been introduced into heavily impacted wetland sites in order that they can enhance restoration and conservation efforts. Additionally the American Alligator is an endangered species success story, having been delisted since 1987. American alligators are currently abundant in the American southeast from Texas to Florida, often considered over populated in some areas. Interesting note; American Alligators are known to climb trees and bask in the canopy when no shoreline is available! All specimens in our store have been farmed and harvested for their skin and meat, with the products in stock being farming by-product that would otherwise go to waste. Current inventory ranges $19 to $36 for Alligator heads and $100 to $150 for Alligator skulls. Lit up in a front porch window, the character pictured above would be a great way to scare the shit out of impressionable young trick or treaters! #alligator#alligatorhead#skulls#oddities#curiosities#curios#taxidermy#ashlandoregon#southernoregon