i really dont know what it takes to raise one as a pet or how costly it will be. i got this idea a long time ago but never found out how to do this. anybody that has experiance in raising alligators please help me understand. thanks
2007-10-04 11:04:27 · 12 answers · asked by justin 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
No you do not. If you do that baby alligator will turn into a big alligator and eat you out of house and home.
2007-10-04 11:09:13 · answer #1 · answered by Audra S 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Buy Live Alligator
2016-12-14 14:39:41 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, as there seems to be confusion on the subject; Alligators are legal in some states, but not in most. Go to this link to see if they are legal in yours:
http://www.api4animals.org/b4a2_exotic_animals_summary.php
Second, they are incredibly expensive to keep. You are talking thousands of dollars to start out, and even more to feed. They can often live longer than people (50-80 years in captivity); so this isn't a 'pet' you can have for a few years and then dump. It is really hard to re-home one as well if you can no longer care for it. The meat that they consume on a regular basis isn't cheap. An adult American alligator in captivity eats anything from large rats, chickens, and giant rabbits to young pigs. That builds up to thousands of dollars per year just for feeding alone.
They take a large, semi-aquatic enclosure about the size of a big room. The reptile rescue facility I worked with had each gator in a 17X20 foot room designed specifically for that animal.
The fact that you said the word 'pet' kind of sent off a red flag in my mind. An alligator is never going to like you, tolerate you, or see you as anything more then a threat when young, and food as it gets older. You can't pet them, you can't play with them, and they will never desire your company. They get huge, and powerful, and you'll be lucky if your 'pet' doesn't seriously injure you.
While Caimans DO get smaller on average, they have probably the worst temperament of any crocodilian species I have worked with. You are 10 times more likely to get bitten by a caiman then you are an alligator, especially given that even WITH a caiman's jaws taped shut, they still have teeth on the outside of their mouth that can easily shred your skin with a flick of their head.
I know it is a cool idea to have an alligator as a pet; but the reality is much different. Please reconsider your idea of getting an alligator, both you and the gator will be better off for it in the long run.
Good luck.
2007-10-04 13:21:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Why? Alligators are not meant to be pets. If you must have a reptile, get a lizzard of some sort that is not going to grow into a huge animal like an alligator will. Read up on the care/training of any pet you get so you will be informed on how to care for it. Plus, how many vets do you know of that will treat an alligator if it were to get sick or injured? I don't know of any in my area that will.
2007-10-04 11:16:13 · answer #4 · answered by dance_95008 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have to agree with Melissa, they're not pets... and then, after you've gotten attached and it's too big for you to keep anymore, where does it go? A zoo? Most zoos have all the gators they need... A farm? Do you -really- have the heart to send your supposed "pet" to the meat market? Let it go? Don't let me find out about it... a kept alligator associates people with food, and 95% of alligator attacks on humans here in florida link back to feeding... this makes your "pet" a nuisance and again, a candidate for the meat market.
I've worked with alligators for going on 20 years now... yes, they're cool, yes, they're great. NO, THEY ARE NOT PETS!!! It's not a matter of "if" your gator bites you, it's when, and as far as caimans go, it's a matter of "how many times?" I'm convinced that the reason caimans don't get as big as gators is so that people can live in South America... caimans are nasty nasty nasty...
Anyway, if you're really that interested in owning one, I suggest that you -really- do some -major- research beyond asking this question on Y!A.... Anyway... I say no. And as you can see, most other people say no...
There is, however, one exception to my general rule of "Average Joes Should Not Own Crocodilians"....
IF you are highly knowledgable and already have experience in educational programs for schools/scouts/etc. and are properly licensed, and meet any other requirements either state or local, and you have a sizable, secure enclosure, or otherwise have a GOOD REASON (read education of others) to own one, maybe... maybe... but then again, it's getting harder to do educational programs too... schools want background checks, people want insurance waivers...
I still say you shouldn't... but if you still think you should, again, research... don't rely on Y!A for dependable information, because, as you can see, plenty of people aren't giving it... Yes, under certain circumstances, in many states, you can -legally- own a gator with the proper experience and permits... as for how to go about it... that's your job.
2007-10-05 14:04:55 · answer #5 · answered by gimmenamenow 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First off you need to learn everything about them, they grow up to be very big and can live far longer then people. This in mind you'll need to set up a rather large area for him to live, this should include a pool or pond that is a few hundred gallons of water along with plenty of land with plants. He’ll need to be kept outside most of the time so unless you live in a very warm area you’ll need to figure out a way to keep it warm and free of snow so he gets all the sunlight he needs.
Food is going to cost a lot as well, and keep in mind you’ll need to find a good vet who will work with that kind of animal.
Last and most important is that before you get one, you’ll need a license for it, many cities don’t allow them at all, and every state I know of in the US needs you to have the proper license and training to own one…
Based on what you’ve said maybe a newt is a better idea.
2007-10-04 11:21:27 · answer #6 · answered by Yomi Minamino 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very bad idea. What are you going to do when it gets huge. And it will. They aren't meant to be pets. They usually end up in a lake or some other body of water where they don't belong. It's not fair to the animal.
2007-10-04 11:11:17 · answer #7 · answered by kathy R 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Are you crazy!!! I believe it is illegal to own them in all 50 states. Baby alligators grow up yo be BIG alligators. They will eat you for dinner! They cannot and never will be pets! People get them and when they get too big or they don't want them any more, they just let them loose causing havoc
and eating and killing other peoples pets and killing or injuring humans. They can eat a child with no problem! DON"T DO IT!!!!!
2007-10-04 11:15:13 · answer #8 · answered by casino mama 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I can help you here.You do not want to buy a alligator, because then once they start getting so big you have no where to put them.And once it gets so big how are you going to transport it.You will have to call someone to help because it will use a death roll and possibly kill you.And if you have children thats not that best idea.The gator will practically drive you out of your home.
2007-10-07 05:00:30 · answer #9 · answered by Pennsylvania Outdoorsman 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have experience with gators and can tell you, you cant have them legally as pets. Another thing is they get large and can be deadly. They require a decent amount of water and land, eat a couple times a week, need some type of heat source. To put it plain and simple , its pretty dumb to think you can have one as a pet.We have 4 at work and they are mean as hell
2007-10-04 11:19:20 · answer #10 · answered by Ajaxnl 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋