Juvenile American Alligators (IMAGE)

University of Utah

Juvenile American Alligators

Caption

Scientists have long believed that American alligators like these evolved certain muscles to help them breathe. But a new University of Utah study suggests that the muscles first evolved so alligators could move their lungs around inside their bodies, using the lungs as floatation airbags to help them dive, roll sideways and otherwise maneuver despite a lack of fins or flippers.

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Hannah Chirillo

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