THE FLORIDA CROCODILE 



321 



from the funereal black of the alligator. This 

 difference in color between our crocodiles and alli- 

 gators is so marked it is quite noticeable at a dis- 

 tance of 200 feet, or more. 



The Florida Crocodile digs burrows in the 

 sandy banks of the Miami River, and other deep 

 streams where the ground is suitable. These 

 lairs are used as hiding-places, resting-places, 

 and doubtless also as warm retreats in which to 

 escape the cold waves from the north, which 

 about once every five years produce killing frosts 

 as far south as Miami. 



that he has become very expert in making capt- 

 ures. For $50 he will at any time take out a 

 party of "tourists," go to a Crocodile's burrow, 

 and with a noose, capture the reptile alive and 

 unhurt. In each case he guarantees that the 

 Crocodile shall exceed nine feet in length. He 

 locates the burrows in advance, by probing for 

 them in the sand, with a sharp-pointed iron rod. 

 With this iron rod, the reptile is driven out of its 

 lair, and rarely does Joe fail to make a capture 

 "as advertised." 



Many other persons in Florida have captured 



E. R. Sanborn, Photo, New York Zoological Park. 



FLORIDA CROCODILE. 



The entrances to these burrows are either 

 under water, or half submerged, and they extend 

 into the bank from ten to thirty feet. At their 

 extremity, they are widened out sufficiently to 

 permit the owner to turn around. Usually, the 

 banks are so low that the top of a burrow is only 

 about two feet below the surface. 



This burrowing habit of the Florida Crocodile 

 has led to a very droll and uncommon industry. 

 A. young man named "Alligator Joe," of Palm 

 Beach and Miami, knows his game so thoroughly 



crocodiles and alligators in their burrows, by 

 means of a long pole of tough wood with a strong 

 and very sharp iron hook lashed on one end. 

 When this pole is thrust into a burrow the reptile 

 bites it viciously, and holds on stubbornly. But 

 even if inclined to let go, the sharp hook engages 

 the tongue or other portions of the mouth, and 

 thus the creature is dragged by sheer force into 

 the hands of his captors, and bound with ropes. 

 The Cuban Crocodile 1 is a small species, 

 1 Croc-o-di'lus rhom'bi-jer . 



