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Alligator — Part 2
The writer's observations have pointed to quite the contrary of this statement. He collected a nest of alligator eggs in South Carolina, in August of 1900. There were thirty-seven eggs in the nest, of about the diameter of a hen's egg but more elongated. Packing the eggs in the material composing the nest, they were shipped to New York, where five of them hatched, between October 8th and 14th. The remainder failed to hatch, possibly becoming spoiled in the shaking they received during shipment.
At the time of hatching, the young alligators were 8 inches long, and weighed 1 3/8 ounces.
One year after hatching, they were again measured and weighed. Their average length was 18 inches, and their weight, 9 1/4 ounces, showing an increase of ten inches in length.
In August of 1902 their average length was 23 inches and the average weight 3 pounds.
In March of 1903 the young alligators were 3 feet, 9 inches long; they weighed 14 pounds. At the time of this measurement they were but two and a half years old, yet had increased thirty-seven inches in length.
The last measurements of this series of specimens were made on November 17th, 1905, and demonstrate a surprising rate of growth. The specimens showed an average length of 5 feet, 6 inches, and a weight of 50 pounds.
In a wild state, growth is undoubtedly more rapid than here noted. The female alligators construct their nests near shallows, teeming with fish. The temperature of these Southern swamps is very high and the atmosphere reeks with moisture. In such places, where small fish are so abundant that they may be scooped out of the water with one's hand, in the high temperature and sunlight, where everything is conducive to the rapid development of the young saurian, it is probable that it reaches maturity within four or five years.
The same, steady rate of growth has been observed with large individuals. A specimen in the reptile house measuring exactly seven feet in 1900, was measured in the fall of 1905; its total length was then 10 feet, 11 inches.
All of the specimens figuring in these measurements were kept in large tanks, heated to a temperature of about 90deg F. This almost tepid water is a correct imitation of the native bayous. If alligators are kept in cold water, especially during the Northern winter months, they feed but poorly or not at all, and growth ceases altogether.
Three species of the genus Alligator are known. One species inhabits China; the habitat of the other is unknown.
From this relentless wave of extermination, the alligator has retreated into the more secluded swamps and bayous. In an almost inaccessible, muddy lake, about forty miles up, and inland a mile from the Savannah River, the writer discovered several large alligators. In his opinion these reptiles were living a peaceful life of seclusion and he remarked as much to the guide. Such proved not to be the case. The guide explained that some gentlemen who spent a number of weeks each year in hunting deer through the region had "spotted" the place and paid it repeated visits in an effort to "get a shot at a 'gator." They had killed three large ones and, as a memento of the sport, one of them had removed a section of the hide from the largest animal killed, which was about eight feet long. The guide further explained that the section of skin removed from the big brute was large enough to make into a lady's pocket-book. This little keepsake for the wife of one of the sportsmen possibly forms an interesting object for recalling reminiscences to the minds of the worthy hunters. With wanton slaughter continuing at this rate, the reader may calculate how long the alligator will continue to exist.
In its native state the alligator is a very voracious creature, though it evinces great timidity toward man. However, when cornered it fights with great energy. This is the case if it is caught away from the water and prevented from seeking its escape in the element in which it is so agile and at ease. The tail and jaws of an alligator seven or eight feet in length are formidable weapons and usually put into simultaneous action. Unable to turn the head to any extent, upon the short, thick neck, the reptile bends its entire body, in bow-like fashion, reaching sideways at an enemy, this motion bringing the tail around toward the head and with force enough to knock a man from his feet and sweep him in the direction of the infuriated brute's crushing powers. The jaws possess great strength, and, armed as they are, with large and numerous teeth, could crush the bones of a man's arm or leg without difficulty. In snapping at an object that has greatly provoked its anger, the jaws of a large alligator will often come together with a deep, booming sound, not unlike the striking of a bass drum.