332 



PRACTICAL ZOOLOGY 



There are only two species of alligators in the world; one lives 

 along the streams of southeastern United States, the other is 

 restricted to China. The alligator has a broad snout, but other- 

 wise resembles the crocodile in general appearance. Its habits 

 also are similar. The twenty to forty eggs are laid in a mound 

 of muck and left there to hatch. 



The crocodiles of India are known as gavials. Their snouts 

 are long and slender, and their bodies attain a length of more 



FIG. 210. Alligators. (Photo, by Hegner.) 



than twenty feet. Usually they are satisfied with fish as food, 

 but they sometimes attack man. 



The Economic Importance of Reptiles. The food of reptiles 

 consists of both animals and plants. The animals eaten belong 

 to practically all classes. Many of the snakes live almost en- 

 tirely upon birds and mammals. Frogs, fish, and other reptiles 

 are favorite articles of food. Most of the smaller species of rep- 

 tiles feed upon worms and insects. In general it may be stated 

 that reptiles do very little damage in destroying animals and 

 plants for food, but they are often of considerable benefit, since 

 they kill large numbers of obnoxious insects and other forms. 



The turtles and tortoises rank first as food for man. Es- 



