Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am a third grade science teacher. My students recently asked me how many bones an alligator has. Does anyone know the answer?

Thanks

Gotta love those 3rd graders eh

As bone numbers are not a typical conversation piece I'd have to say that not many people know. A good place to contact may be the NY museum of natural history; if they don't have any skeletal specimens or records they may have contact info for the people that do. It may take some digging, but you'll find your answer. Another method would be to combine medical records with a local crocodilian vet (is there one?) and veterinary anatomy books to find your answer.

On a more vague note, the crocodilian skeletal system is like that of most every other vertibrate and if you know how many bones are in the human body, you could add maybe 10% to account for extra ribs and tail vertebrate and you'd get a close, fairly educated guestimate. Oh, and if you count teeth as bones, add those in too