Al'ligator, a large reptile found in the rivers and swamps of the southern United States, and also in South America. It is closely related to the crocodile of the Eastern Hemisphere, and is commonly confused with it, but differs in having a broader head, a blunter snout, more teeth and other small peculiarities. The adults rarely attain 12 feet in length. Its back and sides are covered with very hard plates, but it is easily wounded in the belly. Its natural food is fish, muskrats, etc., and it is extremely fond of dog-meat. The female alligator lays from 50 to 60 eggs and buries them in sand, where the heat of the sun hatches them. As soon as hatched the young seek the water. Many doubtful stories are in circulation regarding the habits of both adults and the young.
