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POPULAR OFFICIAL GUIDE. 



ALLIGATOR POOL. 



sizes, and it is there that visitors can secure most realistic 

 impressions of the appearance of this species in a state of 

 nature, and in abundant numbers. 



Under favorable conditions, — warm water and air, good 

 light, plenty of room, and abundant food, — the Alligator 

 grows rapidly. A specimen hatched in our Reptile House 

 in October, 1900, was in January, 1911, 8 feet 3 inches long, 

 and weighed 75 pounds. 



The Crocodile genus is widely represented throughout the 

 world. Of the whole eleven species, the American con- 

 tinent contains four — the Florida Crocodile, (Crocodilus 

 acutus floridanus) , attaining a length of 14 feet, which was 

 discovered at the head of Biscayne Bay, in 1875, by W. T. 

 Hornaday; the American Crocodile, (C. acutus) ; the Sharp- 

 nosed Orinoco Crocodile (Crocodilus intermedins), found in 

 South America; and the small Crocodilus rhombifer, which 

 is found only in Cuba and the West Indies. 



Of the seven remaining species, Asia contains four, and 

 Africa three. Of the Asiatic species, one frequents salt 

 water. 



The Florida Crocodile is now represented by two speci- 

 mens nearly 9 feet long, from Madina Creek, southern Flor- 

 ida, presented by Mr. Julian A. Dimock. It is to be recog- 

 nized at a glance by its dark olive color and sharp-pointed 

 head. This is the only species of crocodile found in the 

 United States. Its maximum length is 14 feet 2 inches. 



