FISHES, BATRACHIANS, AND REPTILES 229 



In the United States there are two species of these great 

 reptiles: tlie American crocodile, living in the West 

 Indies and South America, and occasionally found in 

 Florida; and the American alligator, common in the 

 morasses and stagnant pools of the Southern States. The 

 alligator differs from the crocodiles in having a broader 

 snout. It is rarely more than twelve feet long. The 

 best-known crocodile is the Nile crocodile, which is not 

 limited to the Nile, but is found throughout Africa. In 

 the Ganges of India is found another member of this 

 group of reptiles, called the gavial. It is among the 

 largest of the order, reaching a length of twenty feet. 

 The crocodiles, alligators, and gavials comprise not more 

 than a score of species altogether, but because of their 

 wide distribution, great size, and carnivorous habits they 

 are among the most conspicuous of the larger living ani- 

 mals. They live mostly in the water, going on land to 

 sun themselves or to lay their eggs. They move very 

 quickly and swiftly in water, but are awkward on land. 

 Fish, aquatic mammals, and other animals which occa- 

 sionally visit the water are their prey. The gavial and 

 Nile crocodile are both known to attack and devour 

 human beings, and these species annually cause a consid- 

 erable loss of life. But few such fatalities, however, are 

 accredited to the American alligator. 



