1002 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 



the representatives of the other orders. 

 While the average lizard or snake attains 

 maturity in one or two years, a tortoise or 

 crocodilian may require five years or more, 

 according to conditions, be- 

 fore reaching the stage that 

 might be designated as a 

 young adult. 



Tr £TW\ given a diet of earthworms and min- 



nows. Upon this they are kept for 

 several months, when dead mice are 

 occasionally given them. As soon as they 

 l^ 1 show an increase in size, the quantity and 



-^W- bulk of food is correspondingly increas- 



^¥\ ed. Earthworms are then excluded from the 



menu, while small rodents are given frequent- 

 ly, in alternation with frogs, fish and scraps 

 of beef. Young rats and sparrows are soon 

 added to the list. 



spectacled caiman It will be realized that this food produces 



„,, . ,. ,., , . . .. good bone development. The larger speci- 



The protruding eyelids determine its common name. b . .V . & , 



mens receive small hares, pigeons, and large 



From that point it continues to in- fish, all of which are entire This food supply, 



crease steadily in size until it reaches maxi- ^ are convinced closely approaches the 



mum, adult dimensions. The latter period, diet of th l e u wlld reptll( r- The . amount of food 



embracing a slower growth may cover from consumed by our specimens is not as great as 



five to ten years— possibly more; and the mi § ht be imagined Usually they are fed 



reptile continues to survive to a surprising twice a week, and at most three times a week, 



age as compared with lizards and snakes. The average wild example should fare fully 



Many of the theoretical assertions relating f ™} 1 as thls - If there ls a scarcity of larger 



to the slow growth of crocodilians result from food ll may always resort to a fish diet, for 



the observation of captive specimens under * he waters of most of the bayous frequented 



conditions that stunt them, namely, lack of b ^ crocodilians usually teem with finny 



sufficient sunlight, improper and vacillating creatures. _ 



temperature, lack of exercise and poor food. ^ i § of interest tonoe our observations 



The average "pet" alligator is a suffering to date °j the growth of alligators hatched 



illustration. It appears to remain indefinitely and reared m the Re P tlle House : 



the same size, or to grow at a rate that would Hatched Length Weight 



require an interminable period to attain Oct. 1900 8 ins. 1% oz. 



maturity. Oct. 1901 2 ft. 6 ins. 3% lbs. 



In addition to the tepid water, high tern- Oct. 1903 3 ft. 9 ins. 14 lbs. 



perature of the building and moist atmos- ~ c t- 1906 o it. ins. 60 lbs. 



phere, the feeding of our crocodilians is a ^ c ^- 1912 9 It. 6 ins. 190 lbs. 



matter regulated with thorough system. It Except for the distinct difference in the 



is very essential that they should receive outline of the snout, the various crocodilians 



plenty of bone nourishment. Beef and look very much alike to the popular observer, 



fish alone are insufficient to promote rapid Among all there is the rough, plated armor 



growth, or cause the animals to attain a of the back, the dull, monotonous coloration, 



large size. Our very small crocodilians are and always the semi-aquatic habits. From 



