Spirit Guide of the day is Alligator! Don't rush to understand things, but take your time to digest information you are learning now rather than taking on more. Be protective about yourself and your territory. If you are making a decision, make sure to gather information from all sides of the situation before passing judgement. You may be emerging from a rough portion of your life so look forward to a time of renewal. This will be an important time to honor your ancestors. The Alligator guide is known as a symbol for Motherhood, Initiation, and the primal energies of birth. To the Egyptians, they were connected with signs of fury and ferocity. These aspects were often seen as the same properties given to the primal, feminine forces of the world. Water is always associated with the Great Mother and, since Alligators live both on land and water, this only strengthens that connection with the feminine principles of life and the symbolism of life and death intertwined. Without life, there is not death and without death, there is no life. As creatures who life on land and water, Alligators are seen as keepers and protectors of knowledge. Their connections with life, death, motherhood, and knowledge are strongly seen throughout many cultures. In Egyptian culture, they were associated with mud, a mixture of water and earth that gives forth life and is a symbol of fertility and power. In medieval Europe, they were connected with Dragons and seen as guardians of treasure and wisdom. To meet one was to have an opportunity to find and unfold new knowledge. The rapid growth of Alligators is seen as signs for multiple opportunities for initiation and knowledge. This spirit guide is strongly seen as a sign for the birth of new knowledge and beginnings. People who connect with Alligator often seem a little cold to others at first, but will warm up as time goes on. These individuals keep to themselves and can often be shy and go unnoticed in social settings. They are known for moving slowly and with thought but will react speedily if someone enters their territory threateningly.

Alligators, Alligator Mississippiensis, are carnivorous reptiles found only in southern United States and China. There are only two species of Alligator: the American Alligator and the Chinese alligator. They have a long life-span of between 30-60 years in the wild and are can reach a size of up to 15 feet long and 800 lbs. The Chinese Alligator is smaller, however, and is usually only half the size of a female American Alligator. Chinese Alligators can only be found in the Yangtze River and it is estimated there are less than 100 living in the wild. These animals are covered in an armor plating that varies in color from yellow to green to brown and finally turning black when they reach an older age. Short, stocky legs are ended with webbed toes that helps them in swimming as well as aiding in traction on muddy river banks. The tail of an Alligator is solid muscle and propels them easily through the water. A single Alligator can have up to 80 teeth perfectly shaped for biting down on prey and have the ability to grow back teeth that are lost. Their diet consists of small mammals, fish, and birds, but they are also known to attack animals much larger than themselves. Adult alligators are known to hunt deer as well as other smaller Alligators. These reptiles prefer freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, wetlands, marshes, and ponds as well as brackish environments. Southern Florida is the only place in the world where you can find both Alligators and Crocodiles living in the same place. Although similar, there are distinct differences between the two species. An Alligator is smaller, but faster. They are known to reach up to 15mph on land which makes them one of the fastest large reptiles in the world. An Alligator also has a shorter snout with teeth visible on the outside while Crocodiles have a lighter colored body, longer snout, and teeth that cannot be seen when their maw is closed. The Alligator is a solitary, highly territorial creature that help to move on land by sliding across slippery banks on their stomachs. Female alligators are known to make a variety of noises including those meant to declare territory or find a mate. Young alligators will make noises that indicate to their mother that they are in danger. Male Alligators, however, do not appear to have a prominent voice box and generally only make noises during the breeding season when they use growls and bellows to fend off competing males. The breeding season occurs during the spring when Alligators will gather in large groups to find mates. A female will create a nest on land made out of mud, twigs, and leaves where up to 50 eggs can be laid. This well crafted nest is used as an incubator for the eggs due to the rotting vegetation creating heat. The mother guards the nest viciously for the two month incubation period. Baby Alligators are approximately 20 inches long when hatched and will remain with their mothers for the first 2 years of their life. These incredible creatures have DNA thought to date back to before even the dinosaurs, dating back to 150 million years ago.