This is a photo of a juvenile American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) found near Trout Creek in Hillsborough County, Florida. American alligators can be distinguished from the American crocodile by the presence of a broad, rounded snout, without conspicuous teeth protruding while the mouth is closed. The young (like this little guy) have bold, yellowish crossbands on a black background. Alligators are also important to understanding ecological patterns and restoration success, such as in the Florida Everglades, due to their sensitivity to hydrology, salinity, habitat and system productivity. You can learn more about the science work that the USGS conducts in the Everglades by going to: sofia.usgs.gov/