American alligators typically live in freshwater rivers, swamps, marshes, and lakes in the southeastern United States. They can grow over 11 feet long and weigh up to 1000 pounds. Alligators are carnivorous and eat fish, birds, frogs, turtles, and mammals. Females build nests of vegetation and lay 35-50 eggs, which hatch after 65 days depending on temperature. Alligators can live up to 50 years in the wild.