The Alligator Reptiles 
teeth for seizing and crushing the prey, but they are 
not fitted for chewing, since the food is swallowed 
whole. The full grown alligator can swallow a duck 
at one gulp. There is a valve in the alligator’s 
throat that keeps out water when he is below the 
surface, no matter how widely he opens his jaws. 
Alligators can bellow as loudly as bulls. 
HOUSE 
The baby alligator should be kept in an aquarium 
one-half of which is built up into a solid landing place, 
so that the little reptile can be in the water and out, 
as it pleases; but a gradual slope is necessary so that 
it can lie partly in the water and partly out. The 
aquarium should be kept in a warm place and given 
all the sunshine possible. 
FOOD 
Mr. Deckert advises that baby alligators, until 
they reach about a foot in length, should be fed earth- 
worms; after that, they will take any kind of fish cut 
in small strips, about three inches long and a half an 
inch wide. As the creatures grow larger they may be 
fed larger strips. It is better to offer the strips of 
fish with a pair of pincers or tongs, for the reptiles 
have sharp teeth and might possibly injure the hand 
that held the food. If crayfishes or minnows are 
placed in the tank the creatures will eat them. The 
food does not need to be given but oncea week. The 
day after feeding the tank should be thoroughly 
cleaned, all the water siphoned out and plenty of 
fresh water put in and siphoned out again. The fresh 
water should be the same warm temperature as that 
siphoned out. 
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