did moats have alligatorsdid moats have alligators

The enigmatic people of Teotihuacn in Mexico inhabited a city that prioritized timekeeping. Moving back to crocodiles being put in moats, the earliest reference to something like this (though seemingly just a legend), appears to be the legend of the Coccodrillo di Castelnuovo. So, if moats werent filled with crocodiles specifically, did they contain other fearsome creatures? Who created moats? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Castle moats were usually between 5 and 40 feet deep, and they were not always filled with water. 7 superheroes who served in the Marine Corps, Medieval England required all free men to own weapons in proportion to their wealth. Moats are starting to make a bit of a comeback in modern times, such as used to protect certain embassies from car bombings. So did anyone ever a, The worlds deadliest terrorist you probably never knew about, 4 Soviet partisans who wreaked havoc on the Nazi war machine, The oldest man at D-Day earned the Medal of Honor, MOH Monday: Captain Florent Ahmed Groberg, 3 Planes that have never been shot down in air-to-air combat, Orbital tractor beam technology might be a reality in the near future, How a thousand retreating Japanese troops were eaten by crocodiles in Burma, That time crocodiles decided the outcome of a World War II battle, Viking warriors: Separating fact from fiction, Where the middle finger got its meaning & a great POW use of it. No, we dont have either crocodiles or alligators in Europe, except in zoos. A consistent element in most versions of the legend is that the beast bit off more than it could chew when it tried to eat a leg of a giant horse, ultimately choking on it. "Now the press is trying to sell the fact that I wanted a Moot stuffed with alligators and snakes, with an electrified fence and sharp spikes on top, at our Southern Border," Trump tweeted, misspelling the word "moat. Throughout history, assassination has been a brutal and effective tool of power, used to eliminate rivals and shape the course of nations. Are there crocodiles or alligators in Europe? Bats who dip their bellies in rivers to collect water make excellent prey for hungry crocodiles! We tend to think of moats as being as wide and deep as possible, but the truth is it depended on the individual moat's use. Dry moats could also be reinforced with thistles and bushes that would hamper enemies, and warn lookouts of an incoming assault. The most preferred meat of an alligator is the tail meat. Dry moats alone protected a castle from being tunneled into or being destabilized by digging. The weirder the better. But it doesnt seem too farfetched to think this may have been intentional in some cases. NY Times: Donald Trump Revived Idea of 'Alligator-Filled Moat' While a moat could be dug anywhere, unless there was a nearby supply of running water, it would have been incredibly difficult to fill with water. The type of moat one went with depended on the location, purpose, and resources the builders had available. As weve already touched on, most people are familiar with the use of moats during the Middle Ages, but a lot of people dont realize how widespread their use has been throughout history. This story is recognized as a myth, though Joannas lovers were, in some cases, stabbed to death or beheaded. Not only is there no record of a moat containing alligators, most moats werent even filled with water. Just as we said earlier, people from throughout history and from across the globe have used moats. Wiki User. Castle-and-moat is a network security model in which no one outside the network is able to access data on the inside, but everyone inside the network can. The Times reported that the president considered the moat, to be infested with alligators and snakes, but Mr. Trump attributed the story to The Washington Post. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings. To begin with, moats have been around seemingly as long as humans have had need of protecting a structure or area, with documented instances of them appearing everywhere from Ancient Egypt to slightly more modern times around certain Native American settlements. The purpose of a moat was to create a barrier that was difficult to cross. Today: Castle moats never contained crocodiles. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there existcountless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts thathave yet to be discovered and explained. "Privately, the president had often talked about fortifying a border wall with a water-filled trench, stocked with snakes or alligators, prompting aides to seek a cost estimate," according to the book "Border Wars: Inside Trumps Assault on Immigration.". Most famously, at Krumlov Castle in the Czech Republic there exists something that is most aptly described as a bear moat, located between the castles first and second courtyard. (: Do moats acctuly have alligators? Their eyes, ears, and nostrils are placed on top of their long head and project slightly above the water when the reptiles float at the surface, as they . Why are there no alligators in the moats of European castles? How do you summon no AI mobs in Minecraft? Did moats have alligators in them? When we picture an old medieval castle in our head the likelihood is we imagine it with a big moat going around it with a draw bridge at the main gate. (Eric Jones/ CC BY-SA 2.0 ). All rights reserved. This is a myth. As with artificial ponds constructed on certain wealthy individuals' estates, these would have to be regularly drained and cleaned, then filled back up to keep things from becoming putrid. In particular, devices such as battering rams are rendered almost entirely useless in the presence of a large moat. If the castles occupants did fill it with water, it likely would have quickly become a nesting site for bugs, been covered with algae, and simply turned into a putrid liability more dangerous to those inside than any invasion. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. However, moats were sometimes filled with fish or eels for food. also i allways did assume that every single one had water in them forcing any attackers to swim through and slow down but thinking about it now all they needed to do is bridge the gap with a long lader or something which would also negate the deterant of animals in it. So did anyone ever a The first thing to consider is the definition of meat and fish. It should also be mentioned here that while at first glance it would appear that the key purpose of a moat is to defend against soldiers attacking at the walls, they were often actually constructed with the idea of stopping soldiers under the ground. Crocodile Moats Are Fiction, But Bear Moats Are Not - Ripley's Believe The Moat of Caernarfon Castle. The idea proved good, and they expanded. Did most medieval castles have moats? Theres a good chance that the castle we pictured for our first entry had a moat filled with water, but thats another common misconception. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. So, the next time you come across one of these fascinating structures, take a moment to appreciate their rich and multifaceted history. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/technology/moat, Jarus, J. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The eventual foul smell could periodically be washed away by flooding the moat with river water, carrying it to the river, like the River Thames, and the famous Tower of London. However, . moat, a depression surrounding a castle, city wall, or other fortification, usually but not always filled with water. In March 1401 two rebels took the castle by disguising themselves as carpenters. Either way, beyond making tunneling more difficult (or practically impossible), dry and wet moats, of course, helped dissuade above ground attacks as well thanks to moats being quite good at limiting an enemy's use of siege weaponry. While such creatures would provide an extra line of defense, these stories are just myths, as it would be nearly impossible for such animals to survive in a moat. However, moats were sometimes filled with fish or eels for food. Sometimes entire towns and cities used moats. 1 Did people ever really put crocodiles in moats? In addition, we operate more than 100 attractions in 10 countries around the world. Sorry to burst your bubble, but in this weekly column, Ripleys puts those delusions to the test, turning your world upside down, because you cant alwaysBelieve It! The idea of huge killer reptiles immediately surrounding Medieval fortifications is complete fiction. The idea of a nice place surrounded by water probably got its start in the earliesteraof Atlantis (Richat Structure, aka Eye of Africa), probably initially designed to have only ONEconcentric ring. And as for putting crocodiles (or alligators) in them, introducing such animals to a region, beyond being quite expensive if not their native habitat, is also potentially dangerous if the animals got out. Some moats did have eels and other kinds of fish in them for food. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. However, moats were sometimes filled with fish or eels for food. Both the citadel of Aleppo in Syria and the citadel of Baghdad in Iraq had moats. When exactly this practice started and exactly why has been lost to history, with the earliest known documented reference to the bear moat going back to 1707. A more notable advantage of a water-filled moat was a reserve of water to put out fires, as well as a supply of eels and fish to eat. Moats were often used as a display of wealth and status which served as a symbol of the owner's prestige and power. Whether designed to serve as a stark warning to potential intruders, a status symbol, or both, the castle's grizzliest residents were tended to by a designated bearkeeper until around the early 19th century when the practice ceased. The company has a long successful history in book publishing, product licensing, radio and popular TV shows. The tail portion of the alligator is quite similar to veal meat. What was in a moat? The existence of a moat was a natural result of early methods of fortification by earthworks, for the ditch produced by the removal of earth to form a rampart made a valuable part of the defense system. Instead of learning how the prisoners escaped, they watched in horror as a crocodile emerged from the sea and dragged an unfortunate soul away. Castles moats didn't contain alligators, but one has bears That said, while there's no known documented instance of crocodiles intentionally being put into moats, we do know of at least one castle that had (and has, in fact) a moat full of bears I am sure you are familiar with his legend which states that he was born in a manger surrounded by shepherds. This has led to the misconception that owners filled their moats with dangerous creatures such as alligators to deter attackers. Beyond dangerous creatures, his moat also contained pheasants and a rabbit run. Exactly where the crocodile came from and when this supposedly happened depends on which version of the legend you consult, though our favourite version suggests that Queen Joanna II smuggled it over to Naples from Egypt sometime in the 15th century with the sole intention of feeding her many, many lovers to it. This is a myth. North view of the fortress of Buhen in Ancient Egypt. Exactly where the crocodile came from and when this supposedly happened depends on which version of the legend you consult, though our favourite versionsuggeststhat Queen Joanna II smuggled it over to Naples from Egypt sometime in the 15th century with the sole intention of feeding her many, many lovers to it. Trump calls border wall with alligator-infested moat report 'total lie' Even if they had been available (crocodiles, for example,. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The shape of a moat was typically decided by the shape of the structure it was protecting and its surrounding landscape. Without any real proof of their existence, May set about to rid the city of the phantom gators. Mada'in Saleh, which was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, What is the origin of the legend of the Christed Son who was born of a virgin on December 25th? Again, all this while not really making the act of conquering a fortress that much more difficult- so little payoff for the extra cost of maintaining crocodiles. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. ( saxlerb/AdobeStock). Did People Ever Really Put Crocodiles In Moats? - Today I Found Out While most of these depictions are fanciful, one medieval Kenilworth Castle is a ruined castle located in the market town of Kenilworth, in Warwickshire, a county in the West Midlands, England. In reality, moats could be either wet or dry, filled with water, or simply a ditch. As you might imagine, wading through stinging or thorny plants while arrows and rocks and the like are raining down at you from above wasnt exactly tops on peoples lists of things to do. Of course, this is generally thought to be nothing more than a legend, with no evidence that it actually occurred or even exactly when. Once hunted intensively for their hides, today, loss of habitat to human development, illegal killing and roadkill are the greatest threats faced by alligators and crocodiles. What grade do you start looking at colleges? Eventually this was accomplished by use of explosives like gunpowder, but before this a more simple method was to cart a bunch of tinder into the tunnel at the appropriate point and set the whole thing ablaze. At least the story does show that the idea of a crocodile in a moat isn't just something found in modern pop culture. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Likewise, the historic city of Shibam in Yemen, once a center of trade and commerce, had a moat around the city walls to protect against raiders. At first, moats were simple and used only for protection. Perhaps the weirdest example of a modern moat however is the one to be found at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. During a siege, any kind of revolt within the castle (for example as the result of supplies running low during a long siege) could lead to a rebel letting down the bridge and letting the attackers in. alligator, (genus Alligator), either of two crocodilians related to the tropical American caimans (family Alligatoridae). There is however one exception to this rule. Source: Roman Babakin /AdobeStock, Cartwright, M. 2019. Rather than just being used to protect some rich lord or king, Africans used moats to protect their entire community, not just the elite. This made it an imposing barrier for any wannabe invaders. Likewise in the Middle East moats were to protect cities, fortresses, and other forms of military architecture. This is a myth. "The press has gone Crazy. There are plenty of ways to beef up moat defences without the need for water and crocodiles. The ancient civilization of Greece is a historical period that has long been a subject of fascination and intrigue. The American alligator ( Alligator mississippiensis ), sometimes referred to colloquially as a gator or common alligator, is a large crocodilian reptile native to the Southeastern United States. It does not store any personal data. Using poison bait and luring them into the cities main tunnels, hunters stood on guard, [], [] the legends changed, the taniwha began living in dark caves and assuming more lizard-like forms. Yes they did . The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The practice started in the 16th century when Wilhelm von Rosenburg brought a couple of bears from nearby Transylvania. Some of the earliest evidence of moats has been uncovered around ancient Egyptian castles. Popular depictions of castle moats in film and television usually involve hungry crocodiles , flesh-eating piranhas or dangerous sharks. In the past this would have been filled with water. This made dry moats a practical alternative. The trench would act as an impediment to invading forces, making them easier targets for soldiers on castle ramparts. The Tower of London, Windsor Castle, and Conwy Castle all have circular moats for this reason. In many stories, moats are filled with alligators or crocodiles. moat, a depression surrounding a castle, city wall, or other fortification, usually but not always filled with water. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 2012-02-22 01:23:29. David Jackson USA TODAY 0:00 1:10 WASHINGTON - As a new book details his efforts to stop illegal immigration, President Donald Trump claimed Wednesday he did not propose lining the Mexican. Whether you're a history buff or just fascinated by medieval architecture, the moats of the past have much to offer, and we hope this article has given you a deeper understanding and appreciation for these remarkable structures. ), Family Finds Hidden Crawl Space With 1 Million Pennies Inside, 400+ Ancient Maya Cities Connected by Superhighways. Whether these were intentionally planted on the part of the moat owners or just a byproduct of having a patch of land they left unattended for years at a time isnt entirely clear. In many stories, moats are filled with alligators or crocodiles. To get around this very effective form of breaching fortifications, moats would be dug as deeply as possible around the fortification, sometimes until diggers reached bedrock. In fact, archaeological surveys of moats have found evidence of things like stinging bushes having once grown throughout some moats. Moats were dug around castles and fortresses as a means of boosting its defenses. Answer (1 of 4): Alligators will eat any meat they can get their jaws on, but normally they would not live anywhere near a territory where a monkey lives AND monkeys are agile tree dwellers, 'gators or crocs either one can't climb trees to catch monkeys. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Historians believe that a story told by 19th-century politician Benedetto Croce is responsible for the crocodile myth. I spend my days working as a freelance Read More. This is a myth. But, in the end, it turns out a water filled moat isn't actually that much more effective than an empty one at accomplishing the goal of protecting a fortress. This is a myth. Put a tighter surveillance and a new guest inside there, one day they saw, unexpected and terrifying scene, from a hole hidden in the moat, a monster, a crocodile entering and, with its jaws, it grasped for the legs the prisoner, and dragged him to the sea to eat him. From that moment onward, outside of a brief lapse in the late 19th century, the castles moat has almost always contained at least one bear. Finally, moats could also serve a more practical everyday purpose.