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What this intriguing-and unsettling-apex predator reveals about Americans' attempts to control and connect with the natural world.
Both a flesh-and-blood critter and the stuff of legend, the alligator inspires as much awe as it does fear. While this apex predator survives mainly on fish, birds, snakes, turtles, and small mammals, it will consume almost anything, including pets, livestock, and-in rare cases-humans. Though dreaded as a man-eater, the alligator has also been cast as a lucrative commodity, a popular roadside attraction, a prized hunting trophy, and even an unlikely household pet.
Gator! tells the riveting story of this iconic predator. Historian Mark V. Barrow, Jr.-a native of Florida, a state famous for its alligators-traces the reptile's ancient lineage from the age of the dinosaurs to its current status as a cherished mascot and regional icon. He explores its role as a surrogate species, offering...