PARADISE KEY SAFFORD. 415 



An aquatic turtle, collected by Mr. Arthur H. Howell, proved to be 

 Psevdemys floridana, belonging to the group of river turtles. In 

 addition to these Mr. Mosier reports the following species from the 

 park: A snapping turtle, a soft-shelled or leather-backed turtle, a 

 small water turtle with conspicuous red markings beneath, and a 

 large, hard-shelled, water turtle, which is very good to eat. The 

 well-known gopher of Florida, Gopherus polyphemus, so common on 

 sand dunes near the coast, does not occur in the park. 



ALLIGATORS. 



Alligator mississippiensis is not uncommon in the slough at the 

 eastern entrance to the park. During the writer's visit its bellowing 

 could be distinctly heard from the lodge, especially in the early 

 morning. These huge animals are not at all dangerous, but will 

 flee at the sight of a man and will not show fight unless brought to 

 bay. Young alligators feed mostly on fishes, frogs, and insects ; the 

 older ones also catch waterfowl and unwary mammals which come 

 within reach. They drown their prey by holding it under water, 

 but in order to swallow it they must raise their head above the sur- 

 face. Alligators' eggs, which are about as large as those of a hen, 

 but oblong in shape, are eaten in many parts of the South. They are 

 nutritious and are as good as turtles' eggs- The young when hatched 

 are about 8 inches long. Though they do not appear to thrive in 

 captivity when brought north, they develop rapidly in their native 

 surroundings. 



In addition to the alligator there is a true crocodile in southern 

 Florida, but it does not occur near the park. This animal, called by 

 zoologists Crocodilus acutus, is closely related to C. vulgaris, the 

 man-eating crocodile of Africa which was worshipped by the ancient 

 Egyptians and took part in their religious pageants and processions. 

 It is easily distinguished from the alligator by its narrower head 

 and pointed snout. Specimens 11 or 12 feet long are not rare, and it 

 sometimes reaches the length of 14 feet. Its range extends from 

 Lake Worth to Cape Sable. South of the United States it ranges 

 from central Mexico to Ecuador and the West Indies. Though 

 showing vicious propensities in captivity it is naturally timid in its 

 wild state. 



The sight of a child will send a 12-foot specimen rushing from its basking 

 place for the water, and a man may even bathe with safety in rivers frequented 

 by the species. 1 



LIZARDS. 



Sharply contrasted with the giant saurian of the swamps are the 

 little terrestial lizards commonly called skinks and chameleons. The 



1 See Ditmars, R. L., The Reptile Book, pp. 89-91. 1907. 



