Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-25
GOOD WORDS FOR THE GATOR
Science Finds Him to Be a Useful
Citizen of thu South.
HIS KIND ALMOST WIPED OUT
Little Evidence Back of Those old
Scandals About His Appetite, but
His Hide, Commercially Com
sidercc, is Valuable.

siueTccs II Nhlunble.
a Vlsitor to that part of the south below
forth Carolina could see allizators in al
most every stream and bayou twenty years
ago, but now one may frequently spend
months travelling through this region and
not see a single alligator except those in
captivity. The killing of the creatures for
sport or for their hides has been the main
cause OF their great decrease in numbers.
In addition thousands of the young have
been killed or shipped away, while enor-
NOUS numbers OF the eggs have been gath
cred and sold as curios.
II was not until about 1855 that the de-
mand for alligator leather became OF i'm
portance. The market was not long con-
tinued. In 1859 fashion again called for
the leather for manufacturing into fancy
slippers, travelling bags, belts, card cases,
music rolls. etc. The demand has con-
tinued to the present and many thousands
OF the animals have been killed, while the
preparation of the skins has given employ
ment to hundreds Of people.
The output of the tanneries of this
country approximates 275.0OO skins annu-
ally, worth about $425.o0O, part of which
come from Mexico and Central America.
1t Is estimated that about S,SOO,OOO alllga-
tors were killed in Florida alone between
1850 and 1909. nearly 10000 being killed in
1908.
Once Very
The earliest settlers in the southern
states found alligators. or as they were
then called, crocodiles, exceedingly album
dant in almost all streams, especially in
Florida and Louisiana. Many marvellous
tales are found in the early chronicles Of
the ravages of these monsters. They were
said to eat dogs and pigs and to consider
the negro an especially succulent tidbit,
while 1t was considered dangerous to go
into streams where they were known to ex-
list. When such a stream had to be crossed
hours were spent sometimes in beating It
to frighten off the alligators.
The researches of scientists have shown
that there is very slight foundation for
such stories. and it is probable that the
greater number of the pigs lost by the
planters could have been traced to other
enemies, particularly two-footed ones, while
runaway slaves would naturally encourage
the belief that alligators had dined off
them.
The greater part of the supply of alli-
gator leather now comes from Florida and
owing to excessive hunting the industry
is profitable only in the central part OF
the peninsula, In what is called the Lake
Okeechobec region and in the Everglades.
Here the principal hunters are Seminole
Indians, who have their homes on hum
mocks far back in the Everglades, and
come to the settlements only when In need
of articles which they cannot produce
themselves.
Gators Most Active Mt Night.
The alligator is most active at night and
its days are usually spent lying or some
low bank or log overhanglng the water,
where 1t can enjoy the warmth of the
sun and be able to retreat to it's native
element at the first sign of danger. While
on land alligators are very clumsy, in the
water they are exceedingly active. and
being strong WINNER are able to catch
the larger fish with but little trouble. For
animals like the muskrat and otter swim
ming across lagoons they are always on the
watch.
on selling Its prey the alligator sinks
with 1t TO the bottom and there remaini
until all struggling has ceased; it is ther
able with less trouble TO tear into pieces
While thus submerged a peculiar collar a
the base of the tongue prevents the water
from passing into its lungs.
While the alligator is said to make very
ltClANO ID OA ~ - ~ 80
widely disseminated story that it uses III
tail to sweep animals off the banks int,
its laws appears to have but slight founda
ton.
The mother alligator In April or Ma!
seeks a sheltered spot on a bank and Their
builds a small mound with a hole in tn,
center. The foundation Of this mound 1
OF mud and grass and on these she lay
some eggs. She then covers the eggs wit
another stratum of grass and mud, upol
which she deposits some more eggs. Thu
she proceeds until she has laid from TWEEN
ty-five to sixty eggs, The Eggs are hatche
out by the sun.
Papa Alligator a CannibaI.
As soon as they have Clipped the she
the baby alligators are led to the water b
the mother. who provides them with food
which she disgorges. Papa Alligator has I
be carefully watched az this time, for h
highly esteems a dinner of young saurian
and is not particular whether they are hi
own or his neighbours children. When b
strategy or downright fighting the mothC
has got her family safely into their natur;
element 1t is not long before the youn
scatter, each to begin life on his own hool
At this period they form a favorite foo
for turtles and the larger fishes.
KNnen Lull1 kIONh llt dlllbdNOI II dbSA
sixteen feet in length. In the adult stag
II is greenish black above, having lost tn
yellowish color bands that belong to IL
earlier years. Hunters say that alligator
grow very slowly. attaining the first yea
a length OF about one foot. When tw
feet in length they are said to be from tie
to fifteen years old, while those twely
feet long are supposed TO be rs or NOR
Their normal life is estimated at from i
to $50 years.
Alligator hunting originally began q
sport. Then some one AIMED the skin an
found that it could be put to a con
mercial use. Carried on, as Il must be, 4
night, the hunt is picturesque.
In many cases the hunters fasten bicyc
lamps on their caps, and when the amin,
Is attracted by the light pick ii off b
hitting II In the eye with a rifle bal
Torches are often used. Some times II
hunter lures the alligator to the surfa,
OF the water by 'telephoning to II
gator" as Il Is called.
Baby Gators as Bait.