A Social History of the American Alligator: The Earth Trembles With His Thunder

The first Europeans, in their infinite ignorance assumed the alligator was really a crocodile so naturally many of the myths and legends associated with that reptile became attached to its American cousin. The word "alligator" actually comes from the Spanish "el lagarto" meaning "the lizard."

Glasgow reveals the history of the various attitudinal changes toward gators and of the social uses of alligator teeth, meat and scent (they have a very powerful musk gland which scientists speculate is used during the mating process). Alligator "farms" became great attractions in Florida during the early 20th century, as Americans became enamored with the automobile and were always looking for an excuse to motor somewhere. Alligator wrestling was show more the fad of the day --not as dangerous or difficult as one would expect. The jaws of the alligator are very powerful at closing, weak at opening, so one can easily hold them shut with bare hands. Rolling the creature over on its back disturbs its equilibrium, the eyes can't focus, so it lies very still, much as a human with extreme vertigo would.
Alligator meat was used by native Americans for food long before Columbus arrived, and during the Civil War the South used alligators as a source of food and boots during periods of shortage. In 1753 DuMont de Montigny found the flesh to be "somewhat like that of beef." Others reported it tasted much like bland chicken or frog legs. Still others complained it was too gamy and unsavory. The secret appears to be in the butchering. One must avoid the musk glands and butcher the alligators while young, under four feet in length. The meat is an excellent source of protein and has half the fat content of chicken. My God, I'm beginning to sound like Julia Child.
Another engaging detail. The temperature of the environment of the alligator eggs determines the sex of alligators, much like some other reptiles. If kept at 86 degrees Fahrenheit the result will be female; at 93.2 degrees F one gets only males. Alligator farms (where they raise alligators for meat and skin) can thus regulate the offspring they need for maximum production. That leads to interesting speculation regarding the fate of the dinosaurs. If they reproduced in a similar manner, even a slight temperature change might have led to years of single-sex population, not a pleasant thought. Of course recent research shows they may have been warm blooded, more closely related to present day birds. show less