摘要Nest-site and nesting material used by the Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) was studied at the Gaojingmiao Breeding Farm,Langxi County,Anhui,China from May to September 2009.In this study,artificial nesting materials were placed in 43 potential nesting sites before the nesting season,11 of which were used.Additionally, eight nests were built at natural sites without artificial nesting materials provided.Seven environmental variables were measured at each nest site:distance from water,height from water surface,sunlight duration,nearest bank slope,nest site slope,vegetation coverage and concealment.Statistical analyses indicated that concealment was significantly different between used and unused nest sites,with concealment being significantly correlated to the use of materialsplaced sites.In comparing the nests at artificial vs.natural sites,only the nearest bank slope differed significantly. Further,principal component analysis of natural nests indicated that the duration of nest exposure to sunlight and vegetation coverage were more influential than the other factors studied.