Racing Alligators

Our fan Logan T. asked, how fast can an alligator race? Even with their short stumpy legs, alligators can run about 11 miles per hour. Just to compare, the fastest a person has run is about 23 miles per hour, but most people are a lot slower. By the way, you don’t want to race an alligator or even get near one…alligators have teeny brains, less than half a tablespoon in size, so they don’t do much thinking — they just eat anything that moves. So let’s let the gators race against each other.

Wee ones: Who has more legs, an alligator or you? (Reminder: Alligators have 4 legs.)

Little kids: If you did dare to race an alligator, how many legs would the two of you have altogether?  Bonus: If the alligator runs the race at 11 miles per hour and you run 2 miles per hour slower, how fast do you run?

Big kids: If the alligator you’re racing can run 11 miles per hour but can swim twice that speed, how fast can that alligator swim?  Bonus: Alligators can also stay underwater a lot longer than we can. They can stay under for up to 2 hours if needed. If you can last only 5 minutes, how many more minutes can the alligator last?

Answers:
Wee ones: The alligator has more legs, even if they’re shorter!

Little kids: 6 legs in total.  Bonus: 9 miles per hour.

Big kids: 22 miles per hour.  Bonus: 115 minutes.

Recent Posts

Pick a Math Skill

Pick a Topic

50 States

Animals

Daily Routine

Entertainment

Food

History

Science and Nature

Sports

Vehicles and Transportation