REPTILES 303 



properly treated. For small specimens the cage should be 

 roomy, floored with dry sand or gravel, and provided with 

 a large pan of water. Alligators feed well on earthworms, 

 bits of raw meat, fish, mice, etc., although some individuals 

 may require encouragement at meal-time. They should be 

 fed once every other day. 



The great trouble with alligators comes at the approach of 

 cold weather. In this connection, it must be borne in mind 

 that the alligator is a native of a warm country. There- 

 fore, if its cage and bathing water are of a low temperature, 

 the inmate will be sluggish and refuse to feed. On the 

 other hand, if kept properly warmed, it will remain active 

 throughout the winter months, and feed almost as well as 

 during warm weather. Alligators which have passed the 

 baby stage become more aquatic in habit, and require a 

 larger pool, in which they will spend most of their time. 



Turtles 



Of all the reptiles, turtles probably are most commonly 

 kept as pets. These quaint creatures exercise a fascination 

 which no boy can resist, and indeed they are worthy of the 

 feeling they inspire, for no animal may be kept with less at- 

 tention. Turtles are not high in the scale of intelligence, but 

 become reasonably tame. The aquatic species will live in an 

 ordinary balanced aquarium, but cannot be trusted with 

 fishes, tadpoles or others of the usual inhabitants. It is bet- 

 ter, however, to provide a proper enclosure, with turfed or 

 sanded bottom, and a bathing tank at one end. 



If kept out of doors during the summer, turtles must be 

 removed to warm quarters at the approach of winter, unless 

 facilities for hibernation underground, below the frost- 

 line, can be provided. They are likely to become sluggish 

 during cold weather, and will not feed well, unless kept 



