The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1910-02-18
- WENTY years ago a visitor
to that part of the south be-
low North Carolina could see
alligators in almost every

to that part of the south be-
low North Carolina could see
alligators in almost every
stream and bayou. but now
one may frequently spend months trav-
cling through this region and not see
a single alligator, except those in cap
tivity. 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 enormous num-
bers of the eggs have been gathered
and sold as curios.
1t was not until about 1855 that the
demand for alligator leather became
of Importance The market was not
long continued. In 1869 fashion again
called for the leather for manufacture
ing into fancy slippers, travelling bags,
belts, cards cases, music rolls, etc.
The demand has continued to the
present, and many thousands OF the
animals have been killed, while the
preparation of the skins has given
employment to hundreds of people.
The output of the tanneries of this
country approximates 100000 skins
annually, worth about $425,0O0. part
of which comes from Mexico and Cen
trial America. 1t is estimated that
about 100000 alligators were killed
in Florida alone between 1880 and
1909. nearly 10000 being killed in
1908.
The earliest settlers in the southern
states found alligators, or, as they
were then called, crocodiles, exceed
ingly abundant 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 IL was considered dangerous to
go into the streams where they were
known to exist. When such a stream
had to be crossed, hours were spent
sometimes in beating to brighten off
the aligators.
The researches of scientists have
shown that there is very slight foun-
dation for such stories, and it is prob
able that the greater number of the
pigs lost by the planters could have
been traced to other enemies, particu-
larly the two-footed kind, while run
away slaves would naturally encour-
age the belief that alligators had
dined off them.
The greater part of the supply of
alligator leather now comes from
Florida, and owing to excessive hunt
ing the industry is profitable only in
the central part of the peninsula, in
what is called the Lake Okeechobee
regions and in the Everglades. Here
Indians, who have their homes on
hummocks far back in the Everglades
and come to the settlements only
when in need of articles which they
cannot produce themselves.
The alligator is most active at night,
and its days are usually spent lying
on some low bank or log overhanging
the water. where it can enjoy the
warmth of the sun and be able to re-
treat to its native element at the first
sign of danger. While on land ALI
gators are very clumsy, in the water
they are exceedingly active, and being
strong swimmers are able to catch the
larger fish with but slight trouble. For
animals like the muskrat and otter
swimming across lagoons they are al
ways on the watch.
On selling it's prey the alligator
sinks with it to the bottom. and there
remains until all struggling has
ceased. It is then able with less effort
TO tear 1t to pieces. While thus sub
merged a peculiar collar at the base
of the tongue prevents the water from
passing into its lungs.
While the alligator is said 70 make
very effective use of its tail In war.
fare the widely disseminated story
that Il uses its tail to sweep animals
OF the banks into its jaws appears to
have but slight foundation in fact.
In April or May the mother alliga.
cor builds small mound with hole
In the middle. The foundation of this
mound is of mud and grass, and on
these she lays some eggs. She then
covers the eggs with another stratum
of grass and mud. upon which she de-
posts some more eggs. Thus she pro-