The alligators always want to eat the most they can. They always eat the bigger number.

Mnemonic Device:

< is an arrow pointing to the LEFT (LESS THAN).
> is an alligator’s mouth opening to the larger food (GREATER THAN).

Explanation:

3 < 4 The arrow is pointing LEFT (LESS THAN).
4 > 3 The alligator’s mouth is opening opening to the 4 (GREATER THAN).

(The alligator’s always want to eat the most they can. They always eat the bigger number.)