28-i 



TROPICAL WILD LIFE IN BRITISH GUIANA 



FIG.'95. TUBFUL OF NEWLY-HATCHED ALLKJATOKS 



to hatch. The httle 'gators are about eight inches long, a 

 whole inch of which is gained within a few hours after break- 

 ing the shell. 



Three weeks before actual laying commences, the female 

 alligator gathers together a pile of water-soaked or decayed 

 vegetation, pulling it up and carrying it in her mouth to 

 some secluded spot on the bank of a trench or creek. Here 

 she piles it and mats it down rather firmly in a rough heap 

 about two feet in height. When alligators have been much 

 bothered or persecuted, they will often select a pegass trench 

 and make their nest on the floating vegetation in the center, 

 out of the reach of any passing native. 



When several w^eks have passed, she tears the nest open 



