Do you want to run when you encounter them in the wild?, Anhui has once again released the Yangtze alligator for protection | Activity | Yangtze alligator

Recently, the wild release of Chinese alligators in 2023 was completed in the Anhui Chinese Alligator National Nature Reserve, with a total of 200 artificially bred Chinese alligators released in batches. In 2019, Anhui launched a large-scale release plan for 1500 Chinese alligators over a period of five years. This year marks the last year of the release, with a total of 1608 artificially bred Chinese alligators released.

Upon seeing this news, some netizens exclaimed, "What should I do when encountering crocodiles in the wild?" They will take you to learn about China's unique and rare species, as well as the nationally protected wild animal, the Chinese alligator ↓

1

Is timidity and fear of others due to poor strength?

The Yangtze alligator mainly inhabits the Yangtze River Basin. Compared to the vast majority of crocodiles, Chinese alligators have a shorter body size, generally weighing less than 40 kilograms, with a body length of 150-180 centimeters and a maximum individual length of approximately 246 centimeters. The head of the Yangtze alligator is short and flat, with a flattened tail that occupies half of its body. The tail has serrated ridges on its back, serving as both a swimming organ and an attacking weapon. It is commonly known as the "copper head, iron tail, and tofu waist".

Although covered in hard armor, it doesn't look "ferocious", and some netizens even joked, "The profile of the Yangtze alligator looks like a little dog."

Sometimes, Chinese alligators make a pig like sound, so they have a more down-to-earth name - Piggy Dragon.

With its silly appearance and unique calling, the Yangtze alligator seems to have become a different species from the crocodile family. Due to the low survival rate of their offspring, as well as the impact of human activities and climate change, their living conditions were once extremely difficult and on the brink of extinction.

In order to protect them, experimental release activities began in Anhui Province, one of the main habitats of Chinese alligators, in 2003. In 2019, based on the summary of experimental releases, a large-scale release plan of 1500 releases over a period of 5 years was officially launched.

This year, 200 artificially bred crocodiles with strong physique, distant genetic relationships, and reasonable male to female ratio were carefully selected and released by the local authorities on June 1st.

The staff implanted recognition chips on them and installed satellite positioning devices for 46 of them to better monitor their living conditions - the devices were fixed above the tail and had little impact on their movements.

When releasing Chinese alligators, don't be too nervous: as soon as you open the box, they will quickly hide in the water. Previously, there were scenes of Chinese alligators being carried into the water, and some netizens jokingly claimed that they had completely fulfilled the title of "national first-class protection waste".

This is inseparable from the gentle and socially fearful personality of the Yangtze alligator. Although "relatives" are almost all "overlords", it is an "anomaly" of the crocodile family.

They are naturally sensitive, and when they hear abnormal noises while eating, they become instantly alert and quickly leave with their food.

When a stranger approaches and perceives potential danger, they will wriggle their bodies and flee like a gust of wind.

A stone fell into the pond, causing them to panic and collectively fall; Seeing the grandmother washing clothes pounding fiercely with a club, it wanted to beg for food but dared not approach

There are rumors that the only Chinese alligator injury incident in recent years was when someone was frightened and injured after seeing them.

However, the timid Yangtze crocodile is not a "battle scumbag". As adults, they can unleash a biting force of 600 kilograms, easily crushing turtle shells and hard bones, and their tails can easily leave bleeding marks on people.

Therefore, when encountering Chinese alligators in the wild, remember not to make noise, not to approach them, and not to feed them to avoid accidents - but it is more likely that they will escape faster than you.

2

Eating and having children are very Buddhist like

But he spared no effort in repairing the house

Compared to the fierce crocodiles that prey on zebras, wild boars, and even cheetahs, the petite Yangtze crocodile mainly feeds on fish, shrimp, snails, clams, and frogs, sometimes preying on turtles, birds, and small mammals.

They will launch sudden attacks and use force to capture their prey.

But many times, they also adopt a "sitting and waiting" hunting method: their bodies float on the water surface pretending to be dead wood, and when birds, frogs, and other animals stop and stop, they will slowly sink their bodies, guiding the target object to move towards its head, and ultimately win it in one fell swoop.

It is worth mentioning that they don't eat or drink for about half a year. When the temperature continues to drop below 20 ℃, the Chinese alligator will stop feeding, move slowly, and enter a hibernation state.

At the Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo, the Chinese alligator grows moss all over its body after hibernation.

During about half a year of activity, they also have the same hobby as humans - sunbathing. Chinese alligators are temperature changing animals, with a suitable body temperature of 28-33 ℃. When their body temperature falls below this range, they will find ways to warm themselves up; When the body temperature is too high, it will enter the water to cool itself down.

Chinese alligators reproduce by laying eggs, and even the sex of their offspring is determined by temperature. They do not have sex chromosomes in their bodies, and the higher the temperature during hatching, the greater the proportion of male crocodiles.

They are very enthusiastic about infrastructure and are truly "masters of architecture". With their superb digging skills and design talents, their villas are practical and luxurious - usually located on the riverbank, with numerous rooms, complete functions, and multiple emergency exits leading to the pond and shore.

3

Why do we need to protect the Chinese alligator?

The Yangtze crocodile is known as a "living fossil" and is considered one of the prototypes of dragons, formerly known as the crocodile.

The cultural relic of the Shanxi Provincial Museum, the Dragon shaped Gown, is a representative work of the bronze culture of the late Shang Dynasty in the "Fangguo" region. Jiu is a type of wine vessel, with crocodile patterns and Kui dragon patterns found on both sides of the vessel. In particular, crocodile patterns are extremely rare in bronze vessels, and the Chinese alligator is also known as the Yangtze alligator.

However, for a long time, due to changes in the natural environment and human activities, the habitat of the Chinese alligator has been destroyed, its habitat has sharply decreased, and its population has sharply declined, making the species extremely endangered. A survey in 2005 estimated that there were less than 120 wild Chinese alligator populations.

As reptiles, they play an important role at the top of the food chain in wetland ecosystems, playing a crucial role in maintaining wetland ecology and species balance.

In order to protect them, China has established a national level nature reserve for Chinese alligators for field protection and artificial breeding; Restore vegetation, purify water quality, and create a good living environment for them; Arrange patrol personnel to continuously carry out monitoring and protection work

Civilian protection forces are also making efforts. More than 40 years ago, Zhang Jinyin, a villager from Nanling County, Anhui Province, accidentally discovered a wild Chinese alligator while working in the fields. After reporting to relevant departments, he and his wife took on the responsibility of taking care of the alligator.

At that time, the protected area had not yet been established, and it was not easy for Chinese alligators to find food in their habitats. The money earned by Zhang Jinyin from raising fish and growing vegetables needed to be posted inside to buy meat and feed the alligators. Even so, the elderly have no complaints or regrets.

Now, his grandson Zhang Sheng has become the third generation "crocodile protector", patrolling every day to protect the Yangtze crocodile from external disturbances. The number of local Yangtze crocodiles has also increased from 6 to over 60.

When Zhang Sheng was a child, he once asked his grandfather, "Grandpa, if I were your age, would there still be Yangtze crocodiles in this pond?"

At that time, Zhang Jinyin firmly replied, "Yes, if we protect it well, it will exist for generations to come."

At present, with the efforts of all parties, the number of wild Chinese alligators is steadily increasing. May this ancient creature accompany us forever. All things coexist, let's protect the wonderful creatures on this planet together.