Most maternal crocodilian

The most maternal species of crocodilian is the American alligator Alligator mississippiensis, native to the southeastern USA, including Florida. The adult female is known to look after its young for as long as four years after hatching, although up to three years is more common. This is much longer than maternal care provided by any other crocodilian species.

Although the adult female American alligator does exhibit a longer period of maternal behaviour towards her young than other crocodilians do, and which features considerable vocalisation between mother and offspring, this maternal behaviour gradually lessens as the youngsters grow older.

Eventually, the female becomes actively aggressive towards them, which encourages them to disperse and thus become independent.