2007-09-13, Animal Mothers:鳄鱼Baby

（单词翻译）

When you think of alligators², the first words that come to mind probably aren't tender, loving and maternal³. This video may make you think again.

Here in the everglades, a mother alligator¹ listens to the calls of her young as they hatch. Predators⁴ like this skunk⁵ just love delectable⁶, helpless, hatchling gators. The skunk hones in on the hatchlings' cries. Gator mom is having none of this.

She excavates⁷ her newborns and transports them to the swamp in her jaws⁸ of death.

Now the gator babies are with mom. Unlike crocs, the gator toddlers stay close to mom for the first year and for a good reason, because death lurks⁹ just about everywhere. This hungry great blue heron is on the prowl for a meal.

This gator baby hides under a lily pad and calls for his mother.

A baby gator is one thing, but a full grown gator is a whole different deal. Mom is right there with her babies and she saves the day until, ah oh, this poor little guy is an easy target for a snapping turtle. Fortunately, the turtle just isn't hungry.

But one of the babies isn't so lucky. He is way too far from mom, and way too oblivious¹⁰ to the danger that's all around him. He tries hard to escape, but this gator will never again know the shelter of its mother's ferocious¹¹ but gentle jaws. Now come on, say the words with me, tender, gentle, loving, maternal.