The Biology of the Crocodilia n 



purposes, as well as their destruction for food by 

 bears and other animals, will also tend towards 

 the annihilation of the species in the course of 

 time. The economic importance of the alligator 

 will be discussed later. 



While in the old days, as has been said, the alli- 

 gator was common in the larger rivers and lakes, 

 and may even have ventured short distances into 

 salt water, he must now frequently be satisfied to 

 hide his great body in a "gator hole" that is 

 scarcely more than a puddle. These 'holes" 

 (Fig. 7) are common in central Florida and are 

 sometimes scarcely large enough to allow the alli- 

 gator to dive into them to seek the underground 

 cave in which he hides. It is on the edge of such 

 a hole that the nest is built, as will be described 

 later. 



Often from a small swamp or slough alligator 

 ;< trails" lead off in different directions. These 

 trails are narrow, winding gullies such as might be 

 made by cattle in a damp pasture. If followed 

 from the main slough the trail will usually be 

 found to end in a "hole," in which an alligator will 

 probably be found (Fig. 7). In a great swamp like 

 the Everglades or the Okefmokee such holes would 

 naturally not be found. 



On one side of the hole is usually a smooth place 

 where the vegetation is worn away; it is here that 

 the 'gator "pulls out" to sleep in the sun; and 

 wary must the hunter be to approach within sight 



