MELISSA FARLOW_05842_110250.JPG
An American alligator suns in the shallow, tannin-rich waters of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia. The mahogany-red hue of the water which, when reflective looks like black coffee, is caused by the acid released from decaying vegetation.
An adult alligator can reach 8–12 feet in length and weigh 400 to 500 pounds. The primitive reptile was nearly hunted to extinction for sport and for its leathery hide, which is used for shoes and purses.The Okefenokee is home to an estimated 10,000-13,000 American Alligators.
Established in 1937, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge protects the waters, wilderness, and wildlife of the 402,000-acre Okefenokee Swamp.
- Copyright
- MELISSA FARLOW
- Image Size
- 18020x12000 / 237.6MB
- Keywords
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alligator mississippiensis, alligators, american alligators, animal theme, animals, color image, crocodilians, day, front view, full length, georgia, georgia (united states), getty, high angle views, high angle view, image collection book, image composition, image setting, image type, national wildlife refuges (okefenokee swamp), no people, north america, number of animals, number of people, okefenokee national wildlife refuge, okefenokee swamp (georgia), one animal, outdoors, photography, reptiles, saint marys river, southern states, united states, usa, wild animals
- Contained in galleries
- Okefenokee USA_National Geographic magazine_4/1992
