Can alligators swim?

Question

When i mean "swim" i dont mean using their feet to walk in shallow water. I mean swim like with their heads underwater.

Answer 1

Alligators swim all the time. Not only can they form a watertight seal with their nostrils and have third eyelids (nictitating membranes or underwater goggles), but they can also close their ears tight enough that no water can get in.

Their tail is the propulsion, their back legs are rudders. They can slow their heart rate down to a beat or two per minute and a big gator can stay under for 3 hours or more if it's not active, less depending on activity level.

Lemme see if I can find some images for you.

Here we go....

http://www.seapics.com/picture_gallery/reptile/index.html
http://norb.homedns.org/nwp/storycode/fla-web/index4.html
There's some nice video clips here...
http://www.alligatorfarm.us/
(this link is funny, click "explore the zoo" and "videos" let it play because what you're looking for is scattered in the clip.)
The thing is, is that crocodilians of all kinds prefer to save energy rather than to use it unneccessarily. Swimming takes more energy than scooting along the bottom of a pond, so unless there's motivation to get there quicker, they're gonna bump across the bottom. Or if they're sneaking up on something, have their head up.

Answer 2

Yes, alligators (and crocodiles) can swim. They use their powerful tail to propel them. They can even close their nostrils, and they cover their eyes with a thin transparent membrane to avoid damaging them.

Answer 3

Yes

Answer 4

Yes

Answer 5

I think they can swim in deeper water.
I believe they keep their snouts above the water's surface though.
So yes, they can swim using their short legs.

Answer 6

Sure they can, i seen em swim at Battleship Memorial in Wilmington , N.C.

Answer 7

no, they use magic to move around under water.....of course they can swim!

Answer 8

yes, they can swim (water)