National Geographic: Realm of the Alligator Page #6

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has become famous for

its finicky habits.

It will only make holes

in old pine trees

that are usually infected by

a certain disease red heart fungus.

The fungus softens the tree's

inner core,

making the woodpecker's work easy.

When a clan of woodpeckers finds trees

that suit them exactly,

They may remain here for life.

The woodpecker's keep busy, however,

carrying out a fascinating scheme

for survival.

They constantly make fresh holes

in the trees,

causing them to exude a

thick coating of resin.

It's a sharp and smelly substance,

the main ingredient of turpentine.

The woodpecker's nest hole

is surrounded be resin.

And it's always located

on the western side of the trunk

where the heat of the sun will

help keep the resin moist and fresh.

The reason for all this only

becomes clear

with the appearance of a predator

like this corn snake.

Sometimes this snake can be

an amazing tree climber.

It can climb straight up and reach

bird nests 30 feet above the ground.

Eggs or baby birds

inside the woodpecker's nest

are seemingly easy prey.

But now the resin comes into play.

To the snake it's a powerful irritant.

Frequently is stops the snake entirely

Even if the snake persists,

it still tries to avoid contact

with the resin.

Often the snake ends up retreating

the hard way.

Such moments of threat and drama

frequently interrupt the tranquility

of Okefenokee.

The predator in one situation can

become prey in the next.

A baby alligator in pursuit

of a diving katydid.

Hiding underwater, the katydid

is safe temporarily.

But after two minutes or so,

it must come up for air.

It's midsummer.

John Paling and Kent Vliet

search for alligator nests.

At this time of year dozens of nests

are concealed in the swamp.

The best way to find one is

to look for the trail

the female alligator has made

when coming and going from the nest.

They should be pretty clear.

If they're used often like a trail

to a nest is,

they're pretty obvious.

This looks like one right here.

Left?

Right by these yellow flowers

in this clump here.

Let's shove the nose of the boat

in here.

Yeah, this is one.

Oh, I can see it.

Yeah. It does look like

it's used pretty frequently too.

That one looks really packed down.

I think it's probably

one leading to a nest.

Alligator trails form a network of

natural pathways through the swamp.

They were often followed

by early explorers.

But there's a drawback.

Alligators like to lie submerged

along the trails.

It's all to easy to step on one.

In the nesting season the female

alligator is on the defensive.

She herself has nothing to fear,

but her eggs are highly vulnerable.

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