2901. Swampy

Through the murky swamps I glide

My yellow eyes I try to hide

I drift as silent as a log

A friend to you and every frog!

Don't get too close. Something about this ponderous pond-dweller tells us he might be an amphibian with an appetite. And not entirely trustworthy, either. Maybe it's the elastic spring of his curvy tail, or his powerful-looking legs with their soft triple "claws." Maybe it's that mottled velour alligator skin: its pea-green and heliotrope hues look far too temptingly soft and pettable. Maybe it's the sheen of those bottle-green spines along his back, gleaming with faux water droplets. (Care for a swim?) Probably, though, it's those hypnotic eyes: icy yellow globes with the merest slice of a pupil. Stare at them too long and you're done for--he'll own you. Although Swampy is a youngish alligator (he was born on January 24, 2000), if you dare to stretch his tail out all the way, you'll find he's already 12 inches long. So you'll do well to be on the qui vive. He looks hungry.