The DOI matches its Crossref record; 22 of the 23 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Social Signals and Behaviors of Adult Alligators and Crocodiles
Abstract
We compare and contrast the signalling systems and social behaviors of Alligator mississippiensis, Crocodylus aculus, and Crocodylus mloticus. Our qualitative analysis focuses primarily on the behaviors of adults during three phases of reproduction: I. Defense of Territory and Courtship, II. Nesting and Incubation, and III. Hatching and Post Hatching. Signals and signal elements are very similar among the three species. For example, all have vocal, non-vocal acoustic, and visual signals, some transmitted through air or water and others through both media. In addition, each species' repertoire is composed of discrete, graded and complex signals. A few signals are unique to each species. However, their signalling systems differ in the temporal organization of the behaviors, and in the relative frequency in which certain functional groups of signals occuror in which signals occur in a particular sensory mode. Apparently, the signalling systems of C. acutus and C. niloticus are more similar to each other than either is to the signalling system of A. mississippiensis. The signalling systems of the crocodile species appear to be adapted to open water habitats in which visual signals are advantageous and to high density breeding groups and post-copulatory intersexual contact. In contrast, the Alligatorsignalling system appears adapted to a marsh habitat in which vocal signals are likely favored and to low density breeding groups.
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“Overall, crocodylians appear most vocal during the mating season (Garrick and Lang 1977) and at night (Vliet 1989; Brien et al. 2013; Campbell et al. 2014; Staniewicz et al. 2023).”
From Roars, Rumbles, and Resonance: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Crocodylian Acoustic Signals (2026) · cites this paper as Garrick and Lang 1977
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“Additionally, the contexts for hissing in crocodylians are highly variable and include aggression, defence and courtship (Garrick and Lang 1977; Garrick et al. 1978; Wang et al. 2007; Dinets 2010).”
From Roars, Rumbles, and Resonance: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Crocodylian Acoustic Signals (2026) · cites this paper as Garrick and Lang 1977
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“Hissing in particular is intriguing, as it is unknown whether animals produce this signal via the mouth (Garrick and Lang 1977) or the nose (Wang et al. 2007).”
From Roars, Rumbles, and Resonance: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Crocodylian Acoustic Signals (2026) · cites this paper as Garrick and Lang 1977
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Citations
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Metadata
- Authors
- GARRICK, L. D., & LANG, J. W.
- Affiliations
- Wildlife Conservation Society (US)
- University of Minnesota (US)
- Venue
- American Zoologist
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 1977-02
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 225-239
- ISSN
- 0003-1569 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2094631240
- Cited by
- 193
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 5.22
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Zoologist (publishedVersion)
- HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Keywords
- social signaling, alligators, crocodiles, Alligator mississippiensis, Crocodylus acutus, Crocodylus niloticus, vocalizations, acoustic signals, visual signals, territorial defense, courtship, hatching, reproductive behavior, habitat adaptation, signal complexity, sensory modalities
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