Bibliotheca Herpetologica 17(13)

Honegger, R. E. 2023. Alligators in the Circus Ring—An unusual habitat for an American Icon. Bibliotheca Herpetologica 17(13):131–136. Published November 28, 2023. In Europe, animal shows featuring trained exotic animals were popular up until the 2010s. Shows with young chimpanzees, bears, lions, tigers, sea lions, Asian elephants and Indian rhinos attracted many spectators. In the circus world, these attractions were known as exotic acts. One of these exotics, the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)—an icon of American folklore and herpetofauna—played a significant role in the European circus and vaudeville scene. Three of the more prominent performers who used alligators are discusses here.