Nest-site use by the Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) in the Gaojingmiao breeding farm, Anhui, China

Published source details Wang J., Wu X.B., Tian D., Zhu J., Wang R. & Wang C. (2011) Nest-site use by the Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) in the Gaojingmiao breeding farm, Anhui, China. Asian Herpetological Research, 2, 36-40.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Create artificial nests or nesting sites Action Link

Create artificial nests or nesting sites

A study in 2009 in vegetated pond banks in Anhui, China (Wang et al. 2011) found that Chinese alligators Alligator sinensis nested at a quarter of sites where artificial nesting materials were provided. Chinese alligators constructed nests at 11 of 43 sites where artificial nesting materials were provided. In addition, Chinese alligators constructed nests at eight locations across the whole study area where nesting materials were not provided. In May 2009, artificial nesting materials were provided in 43 sites in an outdoor alligator captive-breeding enclosure. The enclosure was surrounded by a 2.1 m high fence and included eight natural ponds surrounded by native vegetation. In total, 211 adult Chinese alligators had been introduced to the enclosure (0.024 alligators/m²). The banks of all ponds (areas with and without provided nesting material) were monitored daily in the first part of July 2009 for signs of nesting activity.

(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)