ALLIGATOR (Sp. el lagarto, the lizard, Lat. lacertus, lizard). A genus of reptiles of the family Crocodilidte. True alligators differ from crocodiles in the following respects: The feet are less webbed, the head is shorter and flatter, the long first and fourth teeth of the under jaw fit into pits in the upper jaw, and not into notches between the teeth, and this causes the whole head to be broader and the snout more obtuse than in crocodiles. There are only three species of alligators, according to Professor E. D. Cope, —the jacare and cayman (q.v.) of Central and South America being classified in a distinct genus. These species are: Alligator betas (habitat unknown), Alligator Sinensis, of China, and Alligator Mississippiensis, of the southern United States. Among the Neocene fossils of the south of England are remains of an alligator, or of a form that approaches very near to it; but this single species comprises all extinct species known, showing that the genus is of very modern origin. Their eharacteristics are large ly those of the other crocodilians (see CROU0 DILE ) : activity at night, offensive and defensive swinging of the tail, bellowing, egg-laying, etc.; but they are less aquatic than the typical croco diles, and spend much of their time basking in the sun on land. The alligator of the United States originally ranged from North Carolina to the Rio Grande along the coast, and up the larger rivers, ascending the Mississippi as far as Jef ferson County, Miss., about latitude 32'; and in favorable places it used to be enormously abun dant. It is now rarely seen north of Florida or the coast swamps of Louisiana; and the constant persecution of it for sport, its hide, ivory, or eggs is fast leading toward its extermination. It is estimated by the United States Fish Com mission that 3,000,000 alligators were killed in Florida alone between 1880 and 1900. This alli gator reaches about sixteen feet in length when fully grown, and then is greenish black above, having lost the yellowish colo•-hands that belong to its earlier years. It spends most of the day asleep in the sun on a mud bank or log, slipping into the refuge of the water when disturbed. It is timid and quick to retreat, rarely showing any disposition to attack a man, though boats arc sometimes followed. When cornered, or caught upon the hook and hauled ashore, or, as is some times done, captured and bound with a rope when asleep, the animal proves an ugly customer, rushing with formidable open jaws at its ene mies, and striking from side to side with its powerful tail. They are strong and active swim
mers, and always on the lookout for swimming animals like muskrats or dogs, and sportsmen have often lost in this manner dogs that have ventured or been sent into the water after game. Alligators lie in wait in shallows, or close to the shore, for such prey also, yet their main fare is fish, salamanders, and the like. Like other crocodilians. it carries its prey to the bottom to be devoured, and than its windpipe and ears are closed against admission of water. The body of the alligator emits a fetid odor, and its flesh, which is white and tender. has a musky taste, yet is eaten by the Indians and some others. During, the colder months it burrows into the swamp mud and hibernates. the depth and length of this torpidity being greater. of course, in the more northerly parts of its habitat. Consult Belt, Naturalist in Nicaragua (1.ondon• 1888).
The breeding of the alligator is thus de scribed by Dr. ling]] :NI. Smith (Bulletin. United States Fish Commission, XI., 1891) : "The alligator in April or May seeks a sheltered spot on a bank, and there builds a small mound. The foundation of the mound is of mud and grass, and on this she lays some eggs. She covers the eggs with another stratum of grass and 1111111, 11110/1 which she deposits some more eggs. Thus she proceeds nntil she has laid from 100 to 200 eggs. The eggs in the course of time are hatched by the sun, assisted by the heat which the decomposition of the vegetable material generates. As soon as they have 'chipped the shell' the baby alligators are led to the water by the mother, who provides them with food which she disgorges. showing much anxiety for their safety. At this early period of their existence they are exposed to many dangers, being a favorite prey of fishes and turtles. Alligators grow very slowly. At fif teen years of age they are only two feet long. A twelve-footer may reasonably be supposed to be seventy-five years old." Alligators are exten sively utilized. Their hides can be tanned into an excellent leather, which has become expensive. The teeth, obtained by rotting the skulls in the ground. are of fine ivory, and valued for carving into ornaments. They are worth about $2 a pound (of 50 to 75 teeth). Both flesh and eggs are eaten by some persons. and the eggs are val ued because they can be hatched in boxes of warm sand, yielding young alligators to be sold as pets. or killed and made into curious ornaments.