Almost Alive Alligator
Curious about toothy tyrants? Research the differences between alligators and crocodiles and then make your own marshy monster.
1. Look at pictures of alligators and note their unique physical characteristics. How are they different from crocodiles? What can you tell about their habitat and lifestyle by their appearance? When you have the information you need, sculpt an accurate replica of an alligator. Here’s how the one pictured was made.
2. Use a small recycled plastic container such as a salad dressing bottle as an armature. The neck of the bottle is the tail. Tape on chunks of crumpled aluminum foil to smooth out and shape the head and body.
3. Cover the entire head and body with a thin layer of Crayola Model Magic® compound. Shape an open mouth. Model Magic sticks to itself and most surfaces.
4. Use tools and your fingers to indent eye sockets and nostrils. Roll out two small balls and place them in the eye sockets. Add pupils.
5. Create legs by rolling four long tubes, making them thicker at one end. Fold to form alligator legs. Create toes by rolling small, pointy hotdog shapes. Add them to the end of the legs.
6. Roll out a slab and cut small triangles. Line up the spikes along the alligator’s back.
7. For the lining of the mouth, mix a very small amount of red Model Magic with a larger amount of white Model Magic to get pale pink. Spread a thin layer inside the mouth.
8. Cut many small pointy triangles from white Model Magic for teeth. Line the upper and lower jaws with them.
9. Model Magic air-dries to the touch overnight and is completely dry in about 3 days.
Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.
Crayola Modeling Materials including Crayola Model Magic®, and Model Magic Fusion™, Crayola Air-Dry Clay, and Crayola Dough—
- Keep away from open flames. Do not use to make candleholders, hot plates, trivets, or other similar objects that will be used or placed near fire and other heat sources.
- Do not put in an oven, microwave, or kiln.
- Do not make into vessels/containers that will hold unpackaged food.
- The use of modeling material to make items that look like food is discouraged for children younger than age 5 to avoid their confusion with real food.
- Unless sealed with a water-resistant glaze, do not make projects exposed to or immersed in water, such as boats or outdoor bird feeders. They would disintegrate when exposed to moisture.
- Crayola Dough—contains gluten (wheat flour) as an ingredient.
- Crayola Air-Dry Clay, Crayola Model Magic and Model Magic Fusion are gluten-free. However, they are produced on the same machinery as Crayola Dough which does contain gluten. Although the machines are cleaned prior to the start of each production run, there is a slight possibility that trace amounts of gluten from Crayola Dough may be present in the other modeling compound products. For information regarding specific ingredients or allergic concerns, please call our Consumer Affairs department at 1-800-272-9652 weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Standard Time.
Modeling Tools—Use the least dangerous point or edge sufficient to do the job. For example, craft sticks, plastic knives and forks, and cookie cutters can cut or carve modeling materials.
Recycled Containers—Must be clean and safe. Do not use containers that contained bleach or other harmful chemicals (for example, household cleaners, dishwasher or laundry detergents). Do not use recycled metal cans that have sharp edges (for example, lids removed by household can openers).
- Draw marker pictures of alligators in their swampy habitats. Or create a recycled box diorama of a habitat in which to place the alligator.
- Research other reptiles. Diagram their similarities and differences. What characteristics do some smaller reptiles share with their larger cousins?
- Research the challenges humans face when interacting with alligators. Write about what you think people could do to safely share the planet with alligators.
- Assessment: Write a report about the two species of alligators discussing differences of location, eating habits, size, and behaviors.
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