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Prettykttkat   Prettykttkat

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#2079870 Prettykttkat View Profile	New to baby gators Hi I recently have gotten 2 baby gators. They are both maybe 8 inches long? I have been surfing the net for info on caring for them as I have never had one before. They are not going to stay with me but for a few weeks and then go to a permanent home. I want to make sure I am doing things right while I have them so I’ll tell you how I’ve set them up and you can tell me if it’s right or make suggestions. They are in a 18 1/2in wide,36 1/2 in long, 17 in tall that is filled half way with water. There is a filter, lots of fake plants for hiding and a tree root branch thing that they can climb on out of the water to bask. Basking temp is around 100 degrees, water temps are around 75-80 degrees. I am not using a water heater because the heat lamp and room temps seem to be heating it up pretty good. If you think I should get a water heater I will. There is no substrate on the bottom. I put in 30 rosy red minnows, 10 ghost shrimp, some crickets and a few pellets of aquatic herp food. I also use a UV light 5.0. I read I can feed them pinkies too but have not tried it yet. I’ve only had them for 2 days. I tried feeding mealworm with tongs but they didn’t want it. I have not seen them eat, but some crickets, 6 minnows and one ghost shrimp are gone. None of the floating pellets were eaten. Sometimes they make noises like they are calling for mom. Neither one has tried to bite, only tried to crawl away from me. I am trying to not handle them unless I need too. When they see me they dive into the water or swim away and try to hide. They are in with a turtle who came with them. This turtle is very tiny and the more I look at it I think it might have the start of shell rot. Part of the shell is a lighter shade. I am going to treat him if it starts looking worse and I’m positive he has it. Since he was in with the gators before I got them and currently, does it make sense to treat them all together? Shell rot is a fungus, am I right to assume gators can catch the fungus too? Any help or comments are greatly appreciated. BTW I rescue reptiles and have many years of experience. Mostly geckos,chameleons, monitors, other lizards, some snakes, amphibians. I never had a alligator or any other crocodilian before so I am very nervous about care. I don’t want to mess up. I also have access to a very good herp vet if needed. Thank you in advance.
10/03/09  01:48pm
#2081620 Prettykttkat View Profile	Message To: Prettykttkat   In reference to Message Id: 2079870  New to baby gators Update on the gators. I guess I’m doing things right because they have both started eating like pigs and have huge bellies! I feed them every day, is this ok? I don’t know how often I’m supposed to feed them but they always seem hungry now. Today they both took food from tongs so I guess they are losing fear of me and now come to the front when they see me begging for food. Is this all normal?
10/07/09  11:01pm

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