Pet Gator Help?

Question

I've always wanted a pet alligator, they are less aggressive that crocodiles. But is there any way to have one as a pet and not be in danger? What can I do to have one as a pet and be 100% sure that I'm not in any danger?

I don't want a Monitor. I just want a gator of some sort because they are exciting. Everyone would love it. I like the idea of a drawf caiman. I just think it would be a really cool pet if I can make sure I'm not putting myself in danger.

I've wanted a type of gator since I was a kid, I wouldn't dump it, if I ever did i'd give it to the zoo.

Or Gatorland.

I had leopard geckos and they were really lame.

and Gators are great pets if you don't get bitten.

Answer 1

Well I recommend to first find out all the info about them and be prepared to have a large and expensive animal. A dwarf caiman is a good choice, they are pretty small and in a way easier to take care of. Check out this site:

http://www.repticzone.com/caresheets/460.html

Answer 2

ya odds are if you touch it your gonna get bit. also if you decide to get one id get a dwarf caminen, they may be more aggressive but the top out at about 4 or 5 feet. whereas an American alligator can get 12+. witch would eventually require a gated out door pool. or you could sacrifice the basement.
if you've never had reptiles before i would not recommend a gater. you will probably get the same satisfaction from a monitor or a tegu. there bigish -up to 5 feet- mean and eat live. but there alot less dangerous to you and a lot easier to care for.

Answer 3

And what use would it be? You don't want to get bitten, so that means you can't handle it or pet it or anything, trust me, they're not dogs, there are no promises that it won't happen.

Take him to a zoo or gatorland when he's too big for you? What a riot! Zoos and farms have all the alligators they need, if a farm were willing to take it from you, you might want to make sure it gets to live out the rest of it's life... alligator farms, (sorry folks, but it's the truth), are around to take pressure off of wild alligators for the hide trade. Your captive alligator would be even more desirable than a farm alligator because it's been alone it's entire life, not scrapping with it's brothers and sisters.... no scars = higher market value. Oh, you never get your first alligator thinking you're going to become attached... I've been helping my father with educational programs for schools and stuff on native Florida reptiles for the past 19 years. We have the required permits to own an alligator. They are pretty darn cool, I must admit... BUT, they require a lot of care, and sadly, there IS no way to stay out of danger with these animals. They're suprisingly strong, and very quick, it's not too bad if it's a hatchling that you've been holding for five minutes or so and your attention wanders and it latches ahold of your finger... think clothespin with a bunch of needles... mess up grabbing your three footer out of the tank to clean it? That's quite a bit worse... said goodbye to that thumbnail a couple years back, luckily it grew back... got infected though.... that was no fun. How about when your usually placid 5 footer decides that the pack of chicken legs that you brought out for him isn't enough and he's worked himself around between you and the door? Hmm? What happens then?

I've spent 19 years of my life working with these animals, they're amazing, but they should not be kept just because they're "cool", if it weren't for bringing ours around to people to show them and teach about them, we wouldn't have them, they're not meant as pets, and can't be kept as pets... there's millions of years of instinct in that little pea-brain, and you never know what they're going to do. Have a better reason for wanting one than, and I quote... "I just think it would be a really cool pet." How is everyone going to love it? It's gonna hide or stress when a bunch of people look at it, you won't be able to bring it out for people to see if you're worried about it being 100% safe (because you'll have to tape it's mouth to make it safe to handle or have anyone else handle... sure a small one you can hold it's mouth shut pretty easy, but they get bigger, and as I said earlier... stong, and getting the mouth secured is where most of the accidents happen.) It's also gonna have a stinky tank that you'll have to clean out because there is no filter that can keep up with an alligator, so there's another place to mess up....

Anyway, you get my point, I can sit here for the next hour or so giving specific instances of why alligators don't make good pets, but I'm not going to....


Your welcome.

Answer 4

Hello...nothing in Life is 100% ( cept death ) specially when it comes to reptiles or any kind of pet...specially gators..not even monitors if you don't know what you're doing...do you know how many think they are neat, till they grow, then they dump them..hopefully now it is illegal to have them unless you're licensed or a zoo !! Same needs to happen for all LARGE reptiles..that people just seem to dump or allow them to escape cuz they haven't a clue as to what they are doing !! Take Care :)

Answer 5

A leopard gecko makes a much better first reptile, and I doubt your parents will let you get an alligator anyway.

Answer 6

you can't have an alligator. they are wild animals. we live in southern louisiana and there are gators everywhere. they are aggressive and can't be kept as pets. dude, that is a horrible idea. do you know they live like 75 yrs and can weigh thousands of pounds?

Answer 7

well, for 1, its illegal to own any type of alligator, caiman, or crocadilian without a license and certain degrees in herpetology. so if you are caught with any type of these three herps, you may be arrested and fined up to $10,000. i am with the AZ herpetological association and we have found this out many times before on hot line rescues and such events.

Answer 8

It's illegal and very expensive regardless. I do know someone who has a Cayman and the cost of food and proper habitat is quite costly.

Answer 9

There is not gurantee unless you never make contact with it.

Answer 10

dont get one. If you dont know this already you dont need one. get a monitor or something.