Near Thurmont in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
American Alligator
Alligator mississippiensis
| — | English Translation: Mississippi Lizard | — |
Home of the American Alligator
American Alligators are found from North Carolina to Texas in swamps, rivers and lakes.
Behavior
An alligator has to keep only the top half of its head above water to see, hear and breath.
Communication
American Alligators are possibly the most vocal of all crocodilians. They communicate through head and tail lifting, head and tail slapping, roars, bellows, chucking and coughs.
Fun Facts
Adults have almost 80 thumb-sized teeth!
Reproduction
During breeding season males are territorial. To attract females they roar and bellow. Males provide no parental care. Females provide care for the first year.
Conservation
Historically, alligators were hunted for leather and food. Recently, due to protection, their populations have sky-rocketed. In some areas they are considered a nuisance species and are being hunted again.
All of CWPZOO's alligators were donated by people who thought they would make good pets and were mistaken. A hatchling alligator can reach 6 feet in a year under optimum conditions. Please think about this when considering a crocodilian for a pet. We are out
this page online
Erected by Catoctin Wildlife Preserve.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas.
Location. 39° 35.404′ N, 77° 25.703′ W. Marker is near Thurmont, Maryland, in Frederick County. It can be reached from Catoctin Furnace Road north of Kellys Store Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13019E Catoctin Furnace Rd, Thurmont MD 21788, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Central Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Collared Peccary (within shouting distance of this marker); The North American Bison (within
Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 17, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
