#41835

 Considering Getting an alligator

I have been toying with the idea of getting an alligator as a pet for quite a few years. I have owned reptiles in the past, and although I don’t have any right now (only a dog) my Roomie does have two Ball Pythons that I adore. One of my friends works for an exotic pet store and they have a littl 6 to 8 inch alligator. He is the sweetest thing in the world. Like a little kitten... I’ve visited him every day for the past week and have been doing quite a bit of research on them. I am looking for some suggestions of websites so that I can get more information, or any advise that people might want to give me. Although I love this little guy, I am in no rush to get a gator. I might wait until I have more space... but I’m not too sure yet. I don’t have a basement in my house, and space is limited. So I was hoping that if I were to get this little guy, that I would be able to house him in a 30 long aquarium for a little while until I bought a 125 gal breeder tank. I have been told that a 30 would last him about 6 months to a year (I think that’s a bit small to keep him in for a year) But then that a 125 breeder would last him a couple more years. At that point I should have a new house with a basement and would house him in a seperate enclosure. Does it seem as though I’m rushing into this? I really would like him, but I want to do what’s best for the animal.

 #41843

 Considering Getting an alligator

Your rushing Im sure many of us would agree on that and Im sure Bayou will see this add add his imput..you have to take into consideration a Gator grows a foot a year...they have to have adequate space, food, lighting and care...their first year babies eat more and quite often.... to be honest if your getting one because it would be "cool" then do us ALL a favor and dont....to mnay problems as is.... Im sorry you need to properly House and take into consideration they grow..a female 5-7 feet a Bull usually about 12ft they eat a lot they can bite they will bite if you screw up..... the advice I can give you is pause think about what your getting into...check your alws...whether its legal or not...what happens when it grows what then??? gonna keep a couple hundred-thousand pound Gator? can you House it? or will you release it the first time it bites or the first time you realize they need care???this isnt being rude this is questioning...and for a note..there are many Gators that cant recouperate from bad environments and are put down...they cant recover. Some of them are lucky at times.... but inexperianced handlers of such reptiles put a burden on our backs...want to know of that Burden??they take our guys a way for some its a pet..for people like Bayou andm yself they are family..I dont want laws changed and hell raised becauseof it....just read on them and realize.."They dont stay little forever" your best bet if you want small..is a dwarf caiman...a bit on the mean side but that can be handled with time and they dont get near as Big as a Gator

 #41945

 Considering Getting an alligator

CelticTigeress made excellent points but the question was a 30 gallon? Well, the 30 is not in the least bit big enough and as far as a 125 I just took in a yearling that could no longer turn around in his. The guy gave tank and all because he was told by the pet shop that they only grow to their environment, Well my response to that is a question if you were kept in a 24 inch dresser draw would you only be 2 feet tall? I don’t think so keeping an animal in close confined quarters will slow the animals growth and cause (in some cases)irreversable defects, but the animal will either die or grow to what nature has intended. Do I think you are rushing well I can’t tell you that. You need to ask yourself (do I know what I need to keep the animal healthy? Do I have the space to adequately house said animal when mature and full grown? am I willing to accept responsibility for the bites I take or am I going to blame the animal and throw it in the river or kill it? AM I READY?) read some of the other posts on the alligator forum there are some people that will try to steer you in the right direction. I personally don’t know how anybody gets along without an alligator in their lives. I am not saying go get one but I feel a lot of love, respect, and admiration for the croc. species. TB

 #42020

 Considering Getting an alligator

a 30" tank is DEFF NOT big enough. You would need something like 150 gallons at least. Not don’t go by me cuz I dont have 1 but I know a very lil bit about them.

 #42075

 Considering Getting an alligator

150 is too small Im sorry but you would be wasting your cash it would outgrow soon enough Bayou would have good suggestions as said mine are in a custom home so I can house them when they are full grown... I dont do the tank thing I am doing the Outdoor pond but indoors (Pics coming soon) so they have the basement to themselves the other half for the breeder Birds

 #42148

 Considering Getting an alligator

I KNOW THIS ISN’T ABOUT CROCS. BUT LOOK WHAT THIS GUY IS ABOUT TO DO TO THE HERP WORLD. SPREAD THIS LINK AROUND YOU NEED TO LOOK IN THE DESCRIPTION(WRITTEN IN LIGHT BLUE)TO SEE HOW HE PLANS ON SHIPPING A 13 FOOT RETIC.BAD BUSINESS WE NEED TO TRY TO STOP THIS GUY. TB

 #42166

 Considering Getting an alligator

A friend and myself have laid into this guy and found out it was a typo but he still is planing to ship through UPS.

 #42171

 Considering Getting an alligator

Im sorry...I dont ship and a retic for that matter!!!! Geeeeeez do you have ANY concept how mean they are?? that thing gets out there can be serious problems...actually.... When I lived in SC we confiscated several things from him...four Rosey Boas that were missing eyes tips of tials the like... a caiman that couldnt be handled a half starved Burm and something else I believe it was a Nile monitor...Hes not the best rep guy to begin with..actually Ill put in a call to my guys down there Bayou thanks for telling me..it’ll be stopped Ill call in the morning and have someone go out there..... its handled trust me..but UPS..Yeah aiite.... I dont like shipping reps to begin with especially with the cold weather still... but ten to one says theres somethign wrong with her.....and she has a nasty Disposition

 #42183

 Considering Getting an alligator

It is not a good Idea considering they can be deadly and they grow to enormous and they are illegal to own in the US unless you obtain a exotic pet permit

 #42240

 Considering Getting an alligator

The 125 breeder that I was talking about is actually larger tank... about 150 gallons. The guys make custom tanks and this was one of my options. It is pretty large, however I do not know the exact dimentions. I want to say that it would end up being 48X48X18, but like I said, I’m not 100% positive. I would only house him in the 30 long for a little bit... maybe 3 months or so. Basically until I get my tax returns back. I already own the 30 long so this would not be an extra investment. As far as the comment on me considering getting this because I think that it is cool. I do like reptiles and I do think that they’re cool... but that is not my only reason for wanting one. I happen to think that any pet owner gets the pet because in some way they thing that they are cool. I happen to also be quite interested in the behavior patterns of a gator and know that they can have a very nice temperment, well for an alligator. At least I didn’t buy him the first day without knowing anything and only banking on the petstore’s information...which I have found to be grossly incorrect. I also did ask everyone about more information regarding Alligators because I can’t seem to find much in regards to captive gators. If anyone knows of a place where I can find more information, I would really appreciate it. Even since I will probably not get one now, I do still want to learn as much as possible so that I could potentially get one in the future. So if you would like to help me... Thanks!

 #42271

 Considering Getting an alligator

Okay perhaps I cant read my own type..I stated 150 would be too small did I not?Im sorry they have to have free room for walking and then water....as for owning one...again I believe I asked several questions of what your plans were when you got bit or when it GREW...do you not realize this is them ost important time in a Gators life?they eat a LOT they have to its to grow..once they come frome ggs and the yolk is drained finaly in their bellys...they need a place to bask...they will eat multiple timesm ore then an adult and in large qualities..what do you plan on feeding it? do you realize how big your food bill will get???? and Most Gators are illegal unless you have a permit...in IL its illegal to own a snake thats over 4/6 feet without a permit....it depends on state laws what you can and cant have simply stated....do you have a room for it when it gets big?you realize they grow a foot a year??? Im sorry but with the bad reps we get from screw ups Id rather be assured you have SOME knowledge all I can say is hold and handle constantly and when you get bit...dont repeat that same error......

 #43919

 Considering Getting an alligator

Thank you so much for giving me a place where I can get more information. If you had read my origional post, you would have seen that I do have plans for when the animal grows larger. It is very nice to know that people are quite ready to jump down your throat when all you would like to know is if someone else can give you more information. Like I said before. At least I am attemping to get information BEFORE I even consider getting one of these animals. I HAVE looked into the laws. I HAVE thought about the animal’s welfare when it gets large. And I HAVE asked for help. But no one here seems to be willing to give me a place where I can get some written information and make an educated decision. BECAUSE I don’t know much about this animal is why I have not gotten one yet. It is WHY I am asking questions. If you want people to try to be informed, give them places to become informed instead of being condesending. People ask questions because they don’t know and want to do something better. Because they want to learn. If you’re not going to try to help someone, don’t act like a jerk. All I was doing was asking questions. It’s far better then jumping in over my head!

 #44037

 Considering Getting an alligator

Go to my site Bayou Beasts and go to the links page there are some sites with alot of info on croc. species.

 #44296

 Considering Getting an alligator

It wasnt me being rude its simply we get a LOT of stupid people and or questions on here..it becomes a defensive habit if anything... all I suggest is reading up to make sure...you have to realize they have to eat dont be like tweedle dumber whom gets one THEN has to ask "Can I keep it from biting??"well you get the point....

 #44314

 Considering Getting an alligator

As far as being rude there are people on other forums(I will Not mention names) but one of my favorite posts went something like this. I got this animal it is the bomb, everyone should get one. I have had it for 2 days and they are mating I will have eggs soon. P.S. what do I feed this. These people are the ones that make most of us Tigeress *wink* get alittle offensive when dealing with questions that seem to be on the idiotic side. Oh by the way bayou BEASTS celtic TIGRESS not Bayou Puppy and Celtic Kitten. Just kidding but seriously just check the link that I gave if you want the info, there is a link on my LINKS page that will give all the info you need other than the legallities in your area.

 #44415

 Considering Getting an alligator

*grins*Yes yes and Please its Celtic not seltic....and Bayou not byou...anyhow sometimse I get offensive but yes that comment fit just right though...can I add...also people keeping Gators in with turtles especially softshell *Ahem*anywho Ive said my peace just realize it might be a cool pet..but that cool pet can remove fingers....