pet alligators???

Question

Okay I have my heart set on getting a pet alligator, so does anyone have any advice, can you tame them, and actually you know play with them like regular pets??? I am being serious- so please only serious answers.

Answer 1

What would your -reason- for getting an alligator be? My family has kept alligators for educational purposes for about 15 years. Why do you want an alligator? Because it's "macho" or "cool"? Find a better reason, because to answer your question, NO! You cannot play with them like regular pets, they have 80 teeth, and millions of years of instinct. They don't recognize their owners as something that gives them affection, like a dog or cat does, they recognize their owners as someone who gives them food.

Oh, when they're little they're so cute..... what about 4 feet long? 5 feet? 7 feet? What do you do with it when you can't house it anymore? Do you realize that an alligator will live at least as long as you will if you take care of it? Do you realize that if you do find an alligator farm that is willing to take it off your hands when it gets too big for you, they'll probably just turn it into leather? Do you know that most zoos have all the alligators they can handle?

Are you aware of the fact that once an alligator has been kept as a pet it can NEVER be wild again? 95% of alligator attacks here in Florida are linked to people feeding them. Can you imagine what would happen if one that had been kept as a pet were to be released anywhere? A hungry "pet" alligator comes out of the water hissing, growling and snapping at anyone who walks by. This is not only a potential death sentence for a child, it's a definite death sentence for the alligator.

I don't suggest it. Get an iguana or something.

Edited to add.....

Have you even looked into the legality of owning an alligator in the state you live in? I know Florida requires 1000 hours documented experience working with alligators before you can even be considered for permitting, then there's the money aspects of the permits. Which you need to renew every year. And food. And housing. And your water bill. And all the poop. And cleaning the tank at the VERY least once a week, even if you do have a filter on it. (And trust me, the first time you wait too long, you probably won't want to ever again... but you will.... oh, yes.... everyone forgets from time to time...........) And where are you going to find a vet who is willing to help if your gator gets sick? There are a lot of things to take into consideration here, and I don't think you have. (I might be back to edit in more..... who knows...)

Answer 2

"I have my heart set on getting a pet alligator"

Maybe you're thinking with a heart a little too much here, use your brain. Allligators are not pets. Wild animals are not pets. It's mosly likely illegal. Ever see an alligator at the zoo? They give their animals the bare miniume of care to keep them happy and healthy. There is no way a single person has that much room and time. Not to mention money.

Answer 3

Here's my serious answer.
If you actually have to ask if you can "you know play with them like regular pets" then you are nowhere near ready.
A leopard gecko would make a good first reptile for you.

Note to oldest soul: It is not "100% illegal to have an alligator in capitvity as a private citizen". I know several people that have them.
If you don't know the answer, don't just make stuff up to sound smart.

Answer 4

I would NOT advise getting one. Have you ever watched any specials on tv about them? Zoo footage for example, the people you see being snapped at work with these gators on a daily basis. Simply put - they are straight up dangerous in every aspect.

The only reason I can see anyone even CONCIDERING a pet gator, is the "macho" pet aspect. Just how macho do you think these people feel when they get demolished by their pet? ! In my opinion, its one of the worst pets you could get.

Seriously, concider a lizard. There are many species that adapt well to being handled by people, and you probably will never get a life threatening attack from a lizard.

Answer 5

Alligators are NOT pets. As adults, they can become rather aggressive, no matter if they've been hand-raised since they were hatchlings or not.

It's not worth the risk. Do you even have the proper enclosure needed to keep a full-grown alligator content? Many people think this is a good idea, and when the alligator gets adult size, and becomes aggressive, they release them, where they are not native to, and cause many environmental problems.

Answer 6

You absolutely can NOT tame an alligator (or croc). They get very large and even the smaller species are very dangerous. Their teeth are very sharp and they will only ever see you as food. If you want a reptile, get a smaller lizzard of somekind. Don't be silly and get an alligator, they are not pet material.

Answer 7

In most states you need a class 3 license to posses wildlife such as crocs or gators. The license is pretty damn expensive.
Second they never make good pets, if you don't believe me watch the Crocodile Hunter who handled his reptiles almost daily and the crocs still wanted Steve for dinner.
Lastly anything less the their natural environment is cruel in my opinion. they need huge areas of land and water to grow up in, huge amounts of food, and they never really make friends with you, they can't even tell where your hand stops and lunch begins.
Forget the gator, find a nice savanna monitor for a pet.

Answer 8

In the united states, it is 100% illegal to have an alligator in capitvity as a private citizen.

That's all there is to it.

However, you may look into getting a Caiman from a reptile specialty store.

Answer 9

The pet store where I live at sells them for $189.00. They keep them in the same aquarium as their adult res. I have 2 adultd res and was think of getting the alligator myself.

Answer 10

Check into a caiman!