Running head: ALLIGATORS 1

Alligators and their Ability to Regrow Tails

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Alligators and their Ability to Regrow Tails

According to a recent study by Arizona State University, it has been discovered that just

like lizards and other small reptilians, alligators can regrow their tails (ScienceDaily, 2020).

While many reptilians have the ability to regrow their tails, this ability has only been

synonymous with small-sized reptilians. This discovery was made thanks to the use of modern

sophisticated imaging technology, with the specimen being a young alligator as this was

hypothesized as still having plenty of active growth cells. Tails are crucial body parts to

alligators, as they are mainly used for movement in wetlands and other murky environments.

Furthermore, tails are also vital in regards to predation as alligators are carnivores. These uses of

the tail by alligators ascertain its importance in surviving in wetlands. Initially, the ability for

reptiles to regenerate different body parts only applied to smaller reptiles, nut this discovery

widens the scope.The recent discovery on the ability of alligators to regrow their tails to lengths

of upto three quarters of a foot correlates well with the survival arguments linked to the vitality

of tails to alligators. Moreso, this discovery strengthens the scientific fact of reptilians having the

ability to regrow, adding to the fact that this applies to a diverse range of reptiles. This discovery

on alligators being able to regrow their tails brings about an implicit conclusion that the ability

for reptiles to regrow not only applies to small reptiles, but also several large-sized reptiles.
ALLIGATORS 3

References

ScienceDaily. (2020, December 6). Not just lizards: Alligators can regrow their tails too, new

study reveals. Retrieved from

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201123100952.htm