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The American alligator lays 20 to 50 white eggs, about the size of a goose egg. The female covers them with decaying vegetation, which produces heats needed for incubation. The temperature at which American alligator eggs develop determines their sex. Those eggs which are hatched at a temperature of 34 °C (93 °F) or more become males, while those at a temperature of 32 °C (86 °F) or lower become female. In general, the nests built on levees are warmer and thus produce males, while the cooler nests of wet marsh produce females.

The female remains near the nest throughout the 65 day incubation period, protecting it from predators. When the young begin to hatch the mother digs them out and carries the hatchlings to the water in her mouth. But the calling alligator hatchlings also attack possible predators as well as other female alligators. If a female has lost her nest to predation, flooding etc., in such case the female might try to take over the nest of another female alligator. Such confrontations can end with the death of the weaker alligator but for the most part the younger and less experienced female will be simply chased away.

The hatching of American alligators can last for days and the hatchlings have to make use of their sharp egg tooth to cut through the hard egg shell. Eventually, the egg shell becomes bridle and brakes apart due to the hatchling’s constant scratching. This is truly an exhausting task for any baby alligator. Hence, the hatchlings take periodically naps to regain new energy before braking through the shell. American alligator mothers protecting hatchlings was filmed by Heiko Kiera in 2017. The stock footage is available at www.Ojatrovisuals.com

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The American alligator lays 20 to 50 white eggs, about the size of a goose egg. The female covers them with decaying vegetation, which produces heats needed for incubation. The temperature at which American alligator eggs develop determines their sex. Those eggs which are hatched at a temperature of 34 °C (93 °F) or more become males, while those at a temperature of 32 °C (86 °F) or lower become female. In general, the nests built on levees are warmer and thus produce males, while the cooler nests of wet marsh produce females.

The female remains near the nest throughout the 65 day incubation period, protecting it from predators. When the young begin to hatch the mother digs them out and carries the hatchlings to the water in her mouth. But the calling alligator hatchlings also attack possible predators as well as other female alligators. If a female has lost her nest to predation, flooding etc., in such case the female might try to take over the nest of another female alligator. Such confrontations can end with the death of the weaker alligator but for the most part the younger and less experienced female will be simply chased away.

The hatching of American alligators can last for days and the hatchlings have to make use of their sharp egg tooth to cut through the hard egg shell. Eventually, the egg shell becomes bridle and brakes apart due to the hatchling’s constant scratching. This is truly an exhausting task for any baby alligator. Hence, the hatchlings take periodically naps to regain new energy before braking through the shell. American alligator mothers protecting hatchlings was filmed by Heiko Kiera in 2017. The stock footage is available at www.Ojatrovisuals.com

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Each year, the mating season of the american alligator begins in early spring throughout the wetlands of the southeastern United States. These impressive reptiles use a low-frequency sound, called bellowing, to declare territory and locate suitable mates. Females gather in large numbers for courtship, performing their ”alligator dances” at the surface. But it also attacks other male eager to mate. Alligators are apex predators and no strangers to cannibalistic behavior. A flat out attack on the competition will only scare the females away, therefore even the dominate male in its territory will have to slowly approach a mating couple and gently push the opponent away to gain access to the female.

Regardless, scuffles occur frequently to insure the dominance of the ruling male. Mating only takes place in the fresh water which can become problematic during drought and water mismanagement in South Florida. The courtship is help at the surface while the actual copulation will be performed at a secure location underwater to prevent any disruption. It is unclear why the breeding activities only take place during daylight, in particular near dawn and dusk. At nighttime, the behavior of the american alligators changes entirely, mainly driven by their predatory instinct and the constant hunt for food.

But above all the dominant male relentlessly patrols his large water territory ready to fend off any male intruder. During nighttime, the female builds a nest of vegetation and mud or sometimes even excavating a hole in the ground. After laying 20 to 50 eggs, she will cover them with vegetation. The exothermic reaction of the decaying biomass keep the eggs warm and the temperature at which the embryos develop determines their sex. Incubation at 93 °F or more will produce males, while incubating at 86 °F or lower will produce female. Temperatures in between deliver mixed genders. The female remains near the nest throughout two months incubation period, protecting it from predators and other female alligators in search of a suitable nesting location. Alligator Reproduction was filmed by Heiko Kiera aka Ojatro in Florida in 2016.

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The American alligator lays 20 to 50 white eggs, about the size of a goose egg. The female covers them with decaying vegetation, which produces heats needed for incubation. The temperature at which American alligator eggs develop determines their sex. Those eggs which are hatched at a temperature of 34 °C (93 °F) or more become males, while those at a temperature of 32 °C (86 °F) or lower become female. In general, the nests built on levees are warmer and thus produce males, while the cooler nests of wet marsh produce females. The female remains near the nest throughout the 65 day incubation period, protecting it from predators. When the young begin to hatch the mother digs them out and carries the hatchlings to the water in her mouth.

The hatching of American alligators can last for days and the hatchlings have to make use of their sharp egg tooth to cut through the hard egg shell. Eventually, the egg shell becomes bridle and brakes apart due to the hatchling’s constant scratching. This is truly an exhausting task for any baby alligator. Hence, the hatchlings take periodically naps to regain new energy before braking through the shell. The hatching of american alligator was filmed by Heiko Kiera in 2010.

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The Walking Catfish (Clarias batrachus) is a species of freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia. In Florida, they grow to about 20 inches long and 2.5 pounds, and their distinct long bodies have long dorsal and anal fins. Most Walking Catfish in the wild are a uniform shade of gray-brown with white spots on their sides, though albinos are sometimes encountered. These bottom dwelling fish prefer to move from one body of water to another in search of new food sources or mating partners. They move across the land by wiggling from side to side and use their pectoral fins to stay upright usually during wet weather. They have a special gill structure that allows them to breathe atmospheric air when out of water. This non-native fish species was most likely introduced to Florida by humans in the 1960s, probably due to escapes from aquaculture facilities. The Walking Catfish thrives in South Florida’s climate, and prefers the stagnant or slow-moving waters of ponds and canals that can be found in much of Florida.

Walking catfish are a bottom feeders and the barbels around their mouths help them locate food under low light conditions, at night and in low visibility water. Which is necessary because they prefer to live in murky waters and usually feed at night. They are omnivores who indiscriminately feed on insects, crustaceans, eggs and larva of other fish, as well as smaller fish, and a wide variety of plant matter. When food options run low in their current habitat, they are motivated to move to another body of water in search of better food choices. The walking catfish provides an important food source for many native animals, including American alligators, during South Florida’s dry season when the water levels can fall dangerously low. This footage was filmed by Heiko Kiera aka ojatro in 2017. More walking catfish stock footage is available at www. Ojatrovisuals.com

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Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes will feed on both warm and cold-blooded prey and occasionally they also prey on alligator hatchlings if available. Rattlesnakes are predators who live in a wide array of habitats, including wetlands and swamps. They are good swimmers but hunting meanly frogs, birds, rodents and other small mammals. Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes kill their prey with a venomous bite. They possess a set of long fangs with which they inject large quantities of hemotoxic venom. The venom travels through the bloodstream, destroying the victim’s tissue and causing swelling, internal bleeding, and intense pain. This pit vipers are primarily active at night, but they bask in the sun during the day time as well. The threat of envenomation, advertised with the shaking of the rattle, deters many predators. However, rattlesnakes fall prey to hawks, weasels, king snakes and a variety of other species, including larger alligators. The footage was filmed by Heiko Kiera aka ojatro in 2010. The stock footage is available at www. Ojatrovisuals.com

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Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes will feed on both warm and cold-blooded prey and occasionally they also prey on alligator hatchlings if available. Rattlesnakes are predators who live in a wide array of habitats, including wetlands and swamps. They are good swimmers but hunting meanly frogs, birds, rodents and other small mammals. Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes kill their prey with a venomous bite. They possess a set of long fangs with which they inject large quantities of hemotoxic venom. The venom travels through the bloodstream, destroying the victim’s tissue and causing swelling, internal bleeding, and intense pain. This pit vipers are primarily active at night, but they bask in the sun during the day time as well. The threat of envenomation, advertised with the shaking of the rattle, deters many predators. However, rattlesnakes fall prey to hawks, weasels, king snakes and a variety of other species, including larger alligators. The footage was filmed by Heiko Kiera aka ojatro in 2010. The stock footage is available at www. Ojatrovisuals.com

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Monitor lizards such as black throat monitors, nile monitors and others came into Florida through the pet trade. Many lizards have been released by their previous owners or escaped from exotic importers during natural disasters like Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Most of these large lizards like the green iguana, tegu and nile monitors have already established a breeding populations in South Florida. While the black throated monitor has been occasionally seen and captured, which might indicate that those lizards have not been breeding successfully in Florida’s wilderness. Nevertheless, most lizards are opportunistic feeders and will include carrion such as roadkill in their diet. But lizards are exceptional hunters too, stalking and feeding on small mammals (including small pets!), birds and other reptiles. Their voracious appetite for all kinds of eggs, including alligator and crocodile eggs could pose a threat to Florida’s American crocodile population. Monitor eats dead rat was filmed by Heiko Kiera aka Ojatro in 2010. Stock footage is available at www.Ojatrovisuals.com

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Jameson's mamba (Dendroaspis jamesoni) is a highly venomous snake of the family Elapidae. The species is extremely fast and endemic to Africa. This mostly arboreal mamba species will hunt for prey in trees. When prey is caught, Jameson's mamba will hold on to its prey until it dies. Since this species is arboreal, birds make up a large portion of its diet. Small mammals such as mice, rats, and bats and small lizards are also preyed upon. The main predators of this species are various birds of prey, other snakes, honey badger and mongoose may also occasionally prey on this elusive mamba species.

Jameson's mamba is a large, slender elapid snake with smooth scales and a long tapering tail which typically accounts for almost 25% of its total length. The average length of an adult snake is approximately 5 ft to 7.5 ft. They grow as large as 9 ft. Adults tend to be dull green across the back, blending to pale green towards the underbelly with scales generally edged with black. The ventral side, neck and throat are typically cream or yellowish in color. Jameson's mambas have a narrow and elongated head containing a small eye and round pupil. Like the western green mamba, the neck may be flattened. The subspecies D. jamesoni kaimosae, which is typically found in the eastern part of the species' range, feature a black tail while central and western examples typically have a pale green or yellow tail. Jameson Mamba stock footage was filmed by Heiko Kiera aka Ojatro in 2007. The stock footage is available at www.Ojatrovisuals.com

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The eastern green mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps), also known as the common mamba, green mamba, or white-mouthed mamba, is a large, tree-dwelling, highly venomous snake species of the mamba genus Dendroaspis. This snake mostly inhabits the coastal regions of southern East Africa. Adult females average approximately 6.6 ft in length, and males are slightly smaller. Eastern green mambas prey on birds, eggs, bats, and rodents such as mice, rats, and gerbils. The elusiveness of green mambas is attributed to its ability to blend with its environment, and its arboreal lifestyle. This agile ambush predation will often wait for prey to pass before attacking but they also hunt and stalk like most other snakes.

The eastern green mamba is a highly venomous snake. The venom consists of both neurotoxins and cardiotoxins. Symptoms of envenomation by this species include swelling of the bite site, dizziness and nausea, accompanied by difficulty breathing and swallowing, irregular heartbeat and convulsions progressing to respiratory paralysis. Bites that produce severe envenomation can lead to death in humans as well. Eastern green mamba basking in tree was filmed by Heiko Kiera aka Ojatro in 2010. This stock footage is available at www.Ojatrovisuals.com