Snakes and Frogs and Their Relatives 



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mouth is closed, the vicious fangs show. The usual effect is to 

 give the crocodile a fiercer and more belligerent appearance than 

 the alligator. Nor are looks deceiving here, for on the whole 

 alligators are timid and try to escape any encounter with human 

 beings, whereas crocodiles are sulky and ferocious by turns. 



In the zoo a keeper will often step among and over alligators 

 while cleaning their swimming pool but he does not take such 

 chances with his crocodile charges. At the circus you may see the 

 "strong man" wrestle with the lazy and slow-moving alligator 

 never with the quick and active crocodile. 



Both alligators and crocodiles spend much of their time in 

 water. Their nostrils, located on top of little bumps at the end 

 of the snout, take in air as the animals float just under the surface 

 of the water. They can even feed under water by shutting off 

 the food tube from the tube that leads to the lungs. 



Unlike most reptiles, alligators and crocodiles are able to make 

 noises with their mouths. The young produce a curious grunting 

 sound, while the bellowing of the old bulls may be heard a mile 

 away. 



AUJOATORS LOVE SUNSHINE 



Alligators love to bask in the sun, reserving most of their feeding activities for night- 

 time. They favor temperatures of between 75 and 85 Fahrenheit; a temperature 

 over 100 would be fatal to them. An alligator occasionally uses its powerful tail 

 to knock down its prey. As a rule, it tries to keep away from human beings. 



