Like all albino animals, they are very vulnerable to the sun and predators. These alligators are extremely rare and almost impossible to find in the wild. Some alligators are missing an inhibited gene for melanin, which makes them albino. It should be noted that this experiment has not (at the time of the paper published) been replicated in any other crocodilians. American Alligators have the strongest laboratory measured bite of any living animal, measured at up to 9,452 newtons (2,125 lbf) in laboratory conditions. They have five claws on each front foot and four on each rear foot. Alligators travel very quickly in water and while they are generally slow-moving on land, alligators can lunge short distances very quickly. The tail can also be used as a weapon of defense when an alligator feels threatened. The tail, which accounts for half of the alligator's total length, is primarily used for aquatic propulsion. One American Alligator reached a length of 19 feet 2 inches (5.84 m) and 2,200 lb (1,000 kg), which made it not only the largest alligator ever recorded, but also among the largest crocodilians on record (although the related Black Caiman and 5 other crocodilians are believed to equal or exceed this size and prehistoric crocodilians such as Sarcosuchus, Deinosuchus, and Purussaurus reached much greater size). Average body weights are reported from 270 to 800 lb (120 to 360 kg), with a few exceptionally large and old males exceeding 14 ft (4.3 m) and 1,000 pounds (450 kg). Adult male alligators average 11.2 ft (3.4 m) in length, while adult females average 8.2 to 9.8 ft (2.5 to 3.0 m). Averaging about 9.5 in (24 cm) in length when newly hatched, alligators reach sexual maturity when they measure about 5–7 ft (1.5–2.1 m). Juvenile alligators have a striped pattern for camouflage that they lose as they mature. They may at times appear to be lighter based on detritus or algae in the water covering their skin. Adult Alligators generally have dark gray or nearly black color. The American alligator has a large, slightly rounded body, with thick limbs, a broad head, and a very powerful tail. Tail which is for aquatic propulsion and as a weapon of defense
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