Q: How exactly do alligators contribute to the ecosystem? -- Ana

A: Lots of ways! For one, alligators are called the "keepers of the Everglades," mainly because of their habit of creating "gator holes." As you probably know, the Everglades is a river of grass. During the dry season (winter) or when there has been little rainfall, the holes, or small ponds, that alligators create provide water for several species -- not just alligators. It's like an oasis. Over time, the edges of gator holes may develop into tree islands, which are habitat for land-based species like deer.

But what about alligators that aren't in the Everglades? Alligators are predators (of course), which prey on smaller species. This is nature's way of keeping the population of these smaller species in check. Without predators in our world, there would be too many of the smaller species -- let's say raccoons, which alligators eat -- and too many raccoons in one area could eat all of the fish out of a pond, or all of the berries off a tree. In theory, there wouldn't be enough fish or berries for other species to eat, and then some animals could starve. Another more talked-about example of this is the overpopulation of deer in some parts of the country. Their natural predators like wolves and panthers have nearly been wiped out in some parts of the nation. As a result, there are too many deer, and there isn't enough food to go around. Some deer starve while plants and trees get stripped of their leaves. What if mice had no predators like owls and bobcats? Their fast reproduction rate could cause them to become serious pests that could eat crops and cause other property damage. The balance of nature is upset when there aren't enough predators.

Although alligators can be dangerous creatures that should be given respect and a wide berth, they are an important part of the environment.

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