Alligators reach an average length of between 6 and 10 feet, with males rarely reaching 12 to 14 feet. The tail length is roughly half of their overall length. Their general coloration is uniformly dark, but the light markings of youth may persist into early adulthood. Young alligators have bold yellowish crossbands on a black ground color and are about 9 inches at hatching. Alligators have blunt, rounded snouts.