150 THE LIVING ANIMALS OF THE WORLD 
relatively small in size, those of the largest species not exceeding that of a goose in 
dimensions. In shape they are more or less symmetrically ovate, and encased with a hard, 
white shell. In the case of the crocodile, the female selects a suitable dry sand-bank near 
the river's edge, in which it excavates a hole of about 2 feet deep, and, having deposited 
from twenty to sixty eggs therein, mounts guard over them, sleeping on top of the nest by 
day, until the young are hatched. With the alligator, the site chosen for the nest is more 
usually among bushes or reeds at some distance from the water, and the eggs, which may 
be laid to the number of over 109, are covered over with leaves and vegetable débris, whose 
decomposition engenders the heat required for their successful incubation. In both instances 
the parent jealously guards the nest and repels all intruders until the eggs are hatched, and 
ultimately conducts the young ones to the water, where they soon learn to shift for themselves. 
Numbers of them, nevertheless, in their young and weak state, fall victims to vultures, hawks, 
ichneumons, and all manner of birds and beasts of prey. From their birth the little saurians 
are most vicious and irascible in disposition, hissing and snapping at or laying hold with bull-dog 
tenacity of a finger or other seizable object that may be held towards them. From their 
earliest days also they are eminently aggressive and carnivorous. Contenting themselves at 
first with flies and other insects, they speedily extend their attentions to frogs, lizards, fish, or 
any small animals which frequent 
the marshes and river-banks; and 
finally, with their concurrently in- 
creased appetites and dimensions, 
requisition such larger prey as 
sheep, goats, deer, horses, and, as 
before mentioned, even the human 
species, if they can steal a march 
on them unawares. Crocodiles 
are provided with relatively small 
gullets, and are necessarily in- 
capable of swallowing any prey 
whole which is of large dimensions. 
Photo by W’. Saville-Kent, F.Z.8.] [Milford-on-Sea Accordingly any big quarry which 
A QUEENSLAND CROCODILE is seized and dragged into the river 
is disposed of piecemeal, the reptile 
rending the carcase in fragments 
with the aid of its terrible teeth and side-wrenches of its ponderous body. 
Of crocodiles proper, as distinguished from alligators, there are some dozen known species. 
From their last-named near allies they are distinguished by the entire absence of the 
supplementary bony armature which in most alligators underlies the outer horny cuirass on 
the under surface of the body. A more essential distinction is associated with the character 
of the teeth. The upper and lower teeth of the crocodile interlock, and the fourth lower 
canine-like tooth is received into a notch in the side of the upper jaw, and is consequently 
more or less visible when the mouth is closed. In the alligators, on the other hand, this 
bigger tusk-like tooth fits into a pit-like excavation in the upper jaw, and is invisible when 
the mouth is shut. 
The TRUE CROCODILES are found in the tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australasia, and 
Central America. The largest is undoubtedly the estuarine species, ranging from the eastern 
shores of India, through the Malay region, to North and East Australia, New Guinea, and 
the Fiji Islands. This wide range is a natural concomitant of their brackish- and salt-water 
proclivities. Individuals of the species are, in fact, not infrequently met with floating on the 
sea at some considerable distance from the land. An example of this estuarine species has 
been recorded which measured no less than 33 feet, while a length of 20 feet and over is by 
no means of uncommon occurrence. 
The spectmen referred to in the anecdote on page 550 
