Apr 16, 2005 12:06 pm US/Central
Gaston The Alligator Likes To Snap
(CBS 2)
How much do you really know about alligators?
CBS 2's Susan Carlson gets close – but not too close – in this visit to Brookfield Zoo.
Gaston the alligator lives in The Swamp at Brookfield Zoo.
Gaston often sits in the ready position, which means that he's spring-loaded and ready to pounce out to grab his foot with a mouth that is like a steel trap.
For breakfast, Gaston eats dead, frozen rats that are specially bred in a laboratory.
He's actually just stated eating again after being on almost a 6-month "diet." During the dry winter season in the swamps, alligators often live off of energy from the sun and heat from their environments. This period often starts in October and ends in March.
Gaston likes his home warm. Zookeepers regularly take temperatures of the environment so that Gaston is warm enough to digest his food. His living space is usually kept at 80 degrees.
Gaston has pretty poor eyesight. His eyes are located on the top of his head, so he can see without bringing his body out of the water.
But if food falls to the bottom of the swamp, then he will use his jaw to feel around to find the food.
Even zookeepers are a little afraid of Gaston. They carry brooms in case Gaston snaps at them. But as he's gotten older, he's calmed down.
(© MMV, CBS Broadcasting Inc., All Rights Reserved.)
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