Alligator (Books)

Alligators are reptiles mentioned briefly in the How to Train Your Dragon Book series.

Description
Alligators (Genus Alligator) are large semi-aquatic reptiles, closely related to crocodiles. There are only two species alive today, the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) of the Southern United States, and the Chinese Alligator (Alligator sinensis) which was once widespread in China but now only occupies a small area on the country's East coast.

Alligators are low-slung long-bodied reptiles with a broader head than that of crocodiles. They have a heavy paddle-like tail they use for swimming. Their eyes and nostrils are situated on top of their heads so that they can still see and breathe while submerged.

Alligators are top predators in their habitats, eating other animals without much preference, including fish, invertebrates (when young), birds, seer and various other mammals, and even other top predators occupying their territory.

Function
In the Book series, alligators do not actually appear, and are only used as a descriptor.

In reality, however, alligators are consumed by humans, harvested for their hides, and in China alligator parts may be used in Eastern medicine. Alligators are also common inhabitants of zoos and parks.