Uncommon Pets 263 
For small pet-keepers who are restricted to space and cannot provide larger 
accommodation than the size of cage mentioned, one alligator makes a much better pet 
than two even of the same size, as a couple are very much given to quarrelling, and 
in their encounters nearly always happen to imjure one another. 
Rain water is the best kind to provide in the tank, and in any case it must 
be soft water. Many people recommend that the water be kept heated between 
75° and 80° F.; there is no actual necessity for this, although these reptiles, if kept 
in water heated to about those degrees, are more lively than those kept in unheated 
water. A warm conservatory forms an ideal place to keep small crocodiles and 
aligators in, and if a warm-water tank can be fitted in a small enclosure on the 
ground nothing better can be devised. 
The feeding is a very simple matter, the dietary being confined to raw meat and 
fish, preferably fresh-water varieties. Large pieces of meat are unsuitable owmeg to the 
very small throat possessed by these reptiles, and therefore the food must be cut 
into very small portions. Very small alligators, say those under. a foot im length, can 
be conveniently fed on worms. 
The food should be thrown into the tank, and if not eaten the same day must 
be removed, as the water would soon become tainted and the meat injurious, and what 
would in a state of freedom injure the reptiles very little or not at all soon upsets them 
if in captivity. Crocodiles and 
alligators are very handy crea- 
tures to pose. When taken out 
of their cage they are always 
in a tremendous hurry to get 
somewhere, and if prevented, 
after a moment cease thei: 
hurrying scuffle and remain as 
stationary as if carved in stone; 
the small alligator in the accom- 
=. panying illustration was very 
anxious at first to run off the 
box upon which he was placed, but in less than a minute posed himself as seen and 
did not stir until forcibly removed. 
The water should be changed at least once a week, and every care should be taken 
to see that the fresh supply be not given at a lower temperature than that that was 
drawn off. A slight increase (not more than 10°F.) in temperature does not matter—in 
fact the reptiles will enjoy the warmer water being poured over them; but a few degrees 
lower will set the alligators and crocodiles back and send them off their feed for a 
considerable time. It may happen, too, that when the creature is purchased and 
brought home it may refuse or at any rate ignore its food for some weeks—in 
fact the period may even extend into months; there is no need to get unduly anxious, 
the reptile is only settling down and making itself used to its new quarters. A good 
way to get these creatures on the feed is to cover their case up with a blanket, or 
something that lets the light get through, and leave them alone. 
I have heard that many people have been successful in hatching alligators’ and 
crocodiles’ eggs under broody hens and in incubators, but have never personally had 
an opportunity of testing the truth of the statement, although the information is 
well authenticated. 
A PET CROCODILE. 
