Comments on: Stealthy alligators dive, rise and roll by moving their lungs

By: John M. Tax

John M. Tax — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:55:46 +0000

Since these creatures swallow rocks to neutralize their buoyancy, I would think the rocks have a greater influence than lungs.
“diaphragmaticus muscle which runs from the hip to the liver, enclosing the stomach and intestines along the way” means that the rocks are shifted with the stomach as well as the lungs.
Any comments?

By: CHARLES VERRASTRO

CHARLES VERRASTRO — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:49:27 +0000

I FOUND THIS ILLUMINATING. A LONG TIME RESIDENT ADJOINING THE SEMINOLE INDIAN RESERVATION, I LEARNED THE ART OF ALLIGATOR WRESTLING. MANY NATURALISTS, VETERINARIAN, HERPETOLOGISTS AND EVEN NATIVE SEMINOLE ALLIGAOR WRESTLERS OFTEN SAY PUTTING A GATOR TO SLEEP BY TURNING IT UPON IT’S BACK AND RUBBING IT’S BELLY IS PURE SHOWMANSHIP. HAVING ACTUALLY DONE IT I DISAGREE. PUTTING THIS FACTOID TOGETHER WITH OTHER RESEARCH THAT PROVES ALLIGATORS HAVING RECENTLY GORGED SHUNT THEIR BLOOD SO AS TO BYPASS THEIR LUNGS I BELIEVE I SENSE THE MECHANISM WHEREBY A FED GATOR (THEY ARE ALWAYS SATIATED BEFORE A MATCHUP FOR OBVIOUS REASONS).
BY FIRST GORGING AND THEN TURNING THE ANIMAL IT’S NORMAL REACTION IS TO FIRST SHUNT THE BLOOD PAST IT’S LUNGS, THEN USES THOSE SPECIAL MUSCLES TO MANIPULATE IT’S LUNGS TO TURN OVER. SUCH ACTIONS CAN EASILY OVEREXTEND IT’S AVAILABLE OXYGEN SUPPLY AND CAUSES FAINTNESS. IT EVEN EXPLAINS THE TRADITIONAL METHOD OF AWAKENING THE ANIMAL, I.E., STRIKING IT BETWEN THE LEGS BETWEEN THE GROIN AREA AND THE LOWER BELLY, RIGHT WHERE THOSE SPECIAL MUSCLE GROUPS ARE INDICATED IN THE ARTICLE.

By: CHARLES VERRASTRO

CHARLES VERRASTRO — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:39:54 +0000

By: Chip

Chip — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:49:53 +0000

In reference to seeing alligators from the underside: Where do I find this? I have a particular interest in the scales at the base of the jaw joint. I’ve recently noticed, on a pet, a separation of a tear drop shaped scale on either side of the jaw (underside) that has something protruding. It is at the exact same location on the other side of the jaw hinge, and the scales originally appeared to be just expansion sites.

By: Sven DiMilo

Sven DiMilo — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:42:57 +0000

Thanks.

By: Bing McGhandi

Bing McGhandi — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:30:59 +0000

That is soooo sneaky. Sweet.

By: Ed Yong

Ed Yong — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:57:20 +0000

Sven, the embargo on the paper lifted yesterday, but there’s sometimes a delay before it is published on the journal website or in the DOI database. When it is published, the link will start to work and I will add a Research Blogging citation.

By: Sven DiMilo

Sven DiMilo — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:53:55 +0000

Where did you find this? The doi is a bad link and the article is not listed in the current issue of JEB.
Thanks

By: Ed Yong

Ed Yong — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:10:29 +0000

@Damian – yeah, wasn’t it great? The alligator communication sequence was a highlight in what was probably my favourite episode of the whole series. Between that, the green turtle mating, the fishing salties and the creche-nursing caiman, Sir David sure knows how to go out in style. Can’t quite believe the Beeb were happy with him poking an alligator with a stick though…

By: caynazzo

caynazzo — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:07:10 +0000

Let’s not forget our friends the teleosts, which use not lungs but a pair of air or swim bladders for maneuverability and buoyancy.