SYDNEY MORNING HERALD (Australia) 01 October 05 Big Questions: Can an alligator and a crocodile mate and produce offspring? (edited by Julie Lewis)
Can an alligator and a crocodile mate and produce offspring and, if so, can the resulting allidiles or crocogators themselves procreate?
Alligators and crocodiles are two different species and so cannot mate to produce live offspring. This is largely because the DNA counts of each animal are different. However, New Yorkers believe that this has happened and that the results live quite happily in the New York sewer system.
David Buley, Seaforth
Not even in the sewers of New York. Alligators and crocodiles co-exist only in the far south of Florida, but do not cohabit.
Paul Roberts, Lake Cathie
My son, who used to be a fisheries inspector stationed in Cairns, swore by an animal he called a "crocodiligator", though he has his tongue firmly in his cheek at the time.
Ian Rogers, Cronulla.
I expect so, as many years ago my Dad used to refer to such hybrids as "alligackodiles".
Sandy Parkinson, Hilton WA
Wes Note: What inquiring minds want to know is:
1. Can croc-keepers and gator-keepers mate?
2. Would they?
3. Should they?
Can an alligator and a crocodile mate and produce offspring?
