Danny told her that this was the first time he had ever seen one of the creatures in this spot "Usually they're kept in pits and guarded carefully," he added.

"Where's the entrance to the island?" Nancy questioned.

"On the far side of the key. You girls are lucky. Today is a visiting day."

There were several boats with tourists waiting to see Crocodile Island. A boardwalk ran from a small dock up through mangrove trees to a partially open area. Here, among the mangrove trees, were shallow pits fenced in with five-foot concrete walls.

Fresh sea water flowed into them through pipes. There was an elevated area in each pit so the reptiles could stay either in or out of the water.

A small Irish terrier ran around, barking loudly at the visitors.

"His name is E-fee," Danny explained. "I know because I've been here before."

"E-fee?" Bess asked. "That's a strange name."

"It's Seminole for 'dog,'" Danny said. "He has six toes on one front paw and likes to be the center of attention. He's always around on visiting days." The boy petted the little animal and E-fee licked his fingers.

A guide asked the group to follow him, and told them about the crocodiles. "The youngest ones have a greenish cast with black markings," he said. "The half-grown ones are olive green, and the senior citizens are all gray."

They came to an enclosure with a fifteen-foot-long giant in it. "This old fellow has to stay by himself," the guide said. "He doesn't seem to get along with the others. Does anyone have any questions?"

Danny spoke up. "I've heard that crocodiles can drown. Is that true?"

"It sure is," the guide replied. "Both alligators and crocodiles can stay under water until the oxygen in their lungs is used up—alligators longer than crocodiles. But finally they both have to surface."