Closure of "North Pole Encounter" for Renovation Suspension of Ocean Park Hong Kong App (Effective 1 July 2026)
Decorative imageDecorative image
Careers
Decorative imageDecorative image
Contact Us
Decorative imageDecorative image
Members Login
Stylized logo of blue mountains, water, and an orange crescent.Stylized logo of blue mountains, water, and an orange crescent.
Water World
Blue seahorse logo with waves in a white circleBlue seahorse logo with waves in a white circle
Ocean Park Corporation
Ocean Park Hong Kong logo featuring a seal mascot splashing water and the Chinese text 香港海洋公園.Ocean Park Hong Kong logo featuring a seal mascot splashing water and the Chinese text 香港海洋公園.
Ticket & OfferA Day at the ParkPark InformationAnnual Membership Conservation & EducationPlan Your Events
Buy Ticket

  • Homepage
  • Conservation & Education
  • Animals & Plants
  • Chinese Alligator
Reptiles

Chinese Alligator

Scientific Name

Alligator sinensis

Other Common Name(s)

China Alligator, Yangtze Alligator

Body Weight

Up to 40 kg

Body Length

Up to 2 m

Silhouette of a crocodile next to a human for size comparison.
A caiman rests on a rock at the water's edge.

Habitat

Wetland environments such as rivers and ponds
Blue pond with green grass and orange cattails.
River flowing through mountains

Diet

Freshwater snails, clams, fish, frogs, birds, and small mammals
Fish, scallop, squid, and shrimp.
Green iguana and green frog
Blue bird standing on four eggs
A grey cartoon mouse with a long tail.

Fun Facts

  • Living in the temperate regions, Chinese alligators hibernate in burrows during the cold from late autumn until early spring. The underground burrows may be complex with a lot of air holes. They usually emerge in May and bask under the sun to increase their body temperature.

  • The sex of Chinese alligators is determined by the temperature during the first few weeks of incubation. Lower temperatures between 28–31.5°C are more likely to produce females, while higher temperatures around 33°C are more likely to produce males.

    • Alligator resting in shallow water with a rocky background.
    Alligator swimming underwater with a red mark on its head, light patterns on green rocks.

    Distribution

    Endemic to China and can be found in the lower basin of Yangtze River of China in the Anhui, Zhejiang and Jiangsu

    Threats & Conservation

    Threats & Conservation

    Threats

    • An axe and a hexagonal grid with red dotsAn axe and a hexagonal grid with red dots

      Overexploitation of Biological Resources

    • Factory with smokestack emitting smokeFactory with smokestack emitting smoke

      Pollution

    Chinese alligators are threatened by habitat degradation and pollution. The wetlands they inhabit are converted to farmlands. As they spend a lot of time in underground burrows, some live beneath cultivated fields. Although these alligators are gentle, they are still feared by local people and considered as threats to livestock. They are usually killed when people encounter them. To conserve this species, the Chinese government established a protected area in Anhui province. The alligators are bred under human care and then released into the wild. Recent data indicate that the wild population is gradually recovering.

    Conservation

    IUCN Red List graphic showing conservation statuses: Critically Endangered, with categories EW, CR, EN, VU, NT, LC, DD.
    CITES logo and text 'Appendix I'

    IUCN Red List

    • Critically Endangered

    Red List of China's Biodiversity

    • Critically Endangered

    CITES

    • Appendix I

    Conservation

    • Chinese Wildlife Conservation Law: Category 1

    • Protected under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong

    Support Mission R to protect animals & plants!

    Saving Species & Habitats

    Learn More
    Panoramic view of a blue bay, green hills, and islands under a bright blue sky with white clouds.

    Plastic Challenge

    Learn More
    Plastic bottles and styrofoam containers float in polluted water.

    Come and see our animals and plants

    Crocodile with open mouth resting on a bank, partially in water.Crocodile with open mouth resting on a bank, partially in water.

    Gator Marsh

    Amazing Asian Animals | Waterfront

    Explore more animals & plants

    A giant panda walks on green grass surrounded by lush green plants.

    Mammals

    Giant Panda

    Large tortoise with its mouth open on sandy ground.

    Reptiles

    Aldabra Giant Tortoise

    Wet otter with white whiskers standing on rocks, looking forward.

    Mammals

    Asian Small-clawed Otter

    Ocean Park Hong Kong logo featuring a seal mascot splashing water and the Chinese text 香港海洋公園.

    Secure your membership today and embark on an extraordinary journey like no other! Join now

    ACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS & AQUARIUMSACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS & AQUARIUMS
    World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) logo, featuring a grey elephant and a blue fish, with text 'WAZA | United for Conservation'.World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) logo, featuring a grey elephant and a blue fish, with text 'WAZA | United for Conservation'.
    Blue logo with white text "GLOBAL HUMANE CERTIFIED ZOOS & AQUARIUMS" and animal silhouettes.Blue logo with white text "GLOBAL HUMANE CERTIFIED ZOOS & AQUARIUMS" and animal silhouettes.
    Accredited by the ALLIANCE of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums logoAccredited by the ALLIANCE of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums logo
    Gold icon with "Accredited Attraction" and "cr" textGold icon with "Accredited Attraction" and "cr" text

    Tickets and Offers

    Admission Ticket & Special OffersOcean FasTrackVIP Premium TourGroup Ticket

    A Day at the Park

    Latest EventsAttractionsDining & ShoppingGet Closer to the AnimalsFamily Fun ActivitiesHotelsRecommended ItinerariesPanda Zone

    Park Information

    Park CalendarGetting HereGuest ServicesPark Notices

    Annual Membership

    Ocean Park Annual MembershipMembership TiersMember PrivilegesCurrent MembersTicket Conversion

    Conservation & Education

    ConservationEducation

    Plan Your Event

    Corporate Events and ChartersPersonal Celebrations
    FAQ
    Press ReleasePark Rules and RegulationsWebsite Use & Access AgreementPersonal Information Collection StatementPrivacy Policy Statement

    Copyright © 2026 Ocean Park Hong Kong. All rights reserved.

    Ocean Park Corporation is a charitable institution registered with Inland Revenue Department, Hong Kong (File No: 91/2801).

    Ocean Park Hong Kong, 180 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong | Tel: (852) 3923 2323 | Fax: (852) 2873 5584

    Ocean Park channel

    facebook.svgfacebook.svg
    instagram.svginstagram.svg
    weibo.svgweibo.svg
    rednote.svgrednote.svg
    youtube.svgyoutube.svg
    tiktok.svgtiktok.svg
    tripadvisor.svgtripadvisor.svg

    Panda channel

    instagram.svginstagram.svg
    rednote.svgrednote.svg
    tiktok.svgtiktok.svg