326 ELEMENTARY ZOOLOGY 



but are awkward on land. Fish, aquatic mammals and 

 other animals which occasionally visit the water are their 

 prey. The gavial and Nile crocodile are both known to 

 attack and devour human beings, and these species 

 annually cause a considerable loss of life. But few such 

 fatalities, however, are accredited to the American alli- 

 gator. 



