Can Alligators Regrow Their Tails?

We’ve all witnessed that lizards shed their tails while trying to save themselves from danger and later regenerate them. But, can alligators behave the same? Can alligators regrow their tails?New scientific reports published in the journal Scientific Reports reveal that alligators can regrow their tails. 

Alligators are reptiles that live in freshwater sources like rivers and lakes. Alligators are native only to America, Mexico, and China. The two extant species of alligators include the American alligator and Chinese alligator.

Can Alligators Regrow Their Tails?

Joint research by the scientists at Louisiana ilsDepartment of Wildlife and Fisheries and Arizona State University figured out that alligators can regenerate their tails. 

Scientists at Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and Arizona State University have found out that alligators can regenerate their tails. They’d used imaging techniques to come to this conclusion. According to the study, the regenerated tails had a central cartilage skeleton but no bones. The scientists also couldn’t find skeletal muscles in the regenerated tail. However, they were able to see connective tissues and skin. Whatever be the case, alligators need tails to survive as their heavy tails help them in movement. 

It is to be noted that alligators can regenerate their tails only when they are young. Researchers found that American alligators have the ability to regrow their tails up to 9 inches long. The newly grown tail varies slightly in appearance from the rest of the body. It was also identified that there was scale discoloration in the regrown tail.

Can Alligators Regrow Limbs?

No, alligators whose limbs have been amputated due to either accidents or being bitten off by other alligators have no chance of regrowth. In fact, most reptiles don’t have the ability to regenerate their limbs. Even lizards which are famous for their regenerative abilities, cannot regrow their lost limbs. In fact, there are a few species of lizards that cannot regenerate even their tails.