The Biology of the Crocodilia II 
purposes, as well as their destruction for food by 
bears and other animals, will also tend towards 
the annihilation of the species in the course of 
time. The economic importance of the alligator 
will be discussed later. 
While in the old days, as has been said, the alli- 
gator was common in the larger rivers and lakes, 
and may even have ventured short distances into 
salt water, he must now frequently be satisfied to 
hide his great body in a “’gator hole” that is 
scarcely more than a puddle. These “holes’’ 
(Fig. 7) are common in central Florida and are 
sometimes scarcely large enough to allow the alli- 
gator to dive into them to seek the underground 
cave in which he hides. It is on the edge of such 
a hole that the nest is built, as will be described 
later. 
Often from a small swamp or slough alligator 
“trails” -lead off in different directions. These 
trails are narrow, winding gullies such as might be 
made by cattle in a damp pasture. If followed 
from the main slough the trail will usually be 
found to end in a “hole,” in which an alligator will 
probably be found (Fig. 7). Ina great swamp like 
the Everglades or the Okefinokee such holes would 
naturally not be found. 
On one side of the hole is usually a smooth place 
where the vegetation is worn away; it is here that 
the ’gator “pulls out” to sleep in the sun; and 
wary must the hunter be to approach within sight 
