View Full Version : does anyone keep gators?
wckdkl0wn
11-17-2008, 4:05 PM
Does anyone here keep alligators? I just sold my 130 gallon tank to a guy that had 2 of them. Seemed like something I would like to give a try. If you keep gators can tell me how you keep them. DO you keep them in tanks? Custom built inclosures? Etc. Maybe some pictures
rmorse
11-17-2008, 4:09 PM
How experienced are you with larger reptiles? If you aren't experienced, work your way up.....
If you are experienced, and it is legal in your area, I wouldn't jump the gun with a full blown gator. I would go for a dwarf caimen to get my feet wet. You could pull off an indoor pond, customized, for the dwarf.
But yes, custom enclosures are generally the way to go...
rmorse
11-17-2008, 4:10 PM
Another good thing about the dwarf is you can keep it in standard fish tanks, provided you have big enough ones, before you build an enclosure. Keep in mind that it will need a lot of land area as well as water. I believe it is 1/4 water 3/4 land, but don't quote me on that.
Another good thing about the dwarf is you can keep it in standard fish tanks, provided you have big enough ones, before you build an enclosure. Keep in mind that it will need a lot of land area as well as water. I believe it is 1/4 water 3/4 land, but don't quote me on that.
:iagree:But I think they need a more 50/50 water land ratio:confused:
rmorse
11-17-2008, 4:40 PM
:iagree:But I think they need a more 50/50 water land ratio:confused:
:DThats why I said don't quote me on that....And look what you did!!! :nilly:
:DThats why I said don't quote me on that....And look what you did!!! :nilly:
:devil::FIREdevil:FIREdevil:nutkick::lol3:
Vicious_Fish
11-17-2008, 4:46 PM
I agree, if you really want a crocodilian do lots of research first and choose something smaller like a dwarf camian. As cute as baby alligators are they grow into powerful beasts that consider you part of the food chain. :D
It would be owesame if normal hobbists had acess to chinese gators:D Much smaller than their US cosins, cold hardy and good temper
greatfulxdead
11-17-2008, 5:08 PM
I had a dwarf caiman once. It ran away or got eaten by racoons. Kinda sucks when $275 runs away. They get to like 3' so you better get a huge tank.
BTW, it wouldn't eat anything I fed it. Not even live fish. (at least not that I saw.) I did a lot of research too and had an awesome set-up for it at the time.
wckdkl0wn
11-18-2008, 5:59 AM
I was reading up on this site. http://lonn.org/ragnar/croc/index.html I like the way the enclosure is setup. It is giving me ideas. But before I do anything though I am going to do more research on them.
reptech
11-18-2008, 8:53 AM
have any of yous had a dwarf camian ? they are four times more aggresive then a gator yes they stay smaller but your more likely to get bit i couldnt even go in the room cause mines would attack the side of the cage but the gators ive delt with are a "little" more tame either way start with a baby
Nanoreefer
11-19-2008, 6:38 PM
Yep,dwarf caimans have a tendency to bite alot.They can be housed in large enough aquariums,but the water land ratio should be 50/50 I think.They can also be hard to feed in some cases.American gators are good eaters,and CAN be more docile,though still,handle it when young and DON'T TOUCH IT when full grown.If you were going with gators,try getting females,as they are less smaller,and can be less aggresive,though the word aggresive for any gator is "kill".Plus they get large.Sometimes I see spectacled caimans being sold too.Unfortunately,they are one of the most popular species avaliable.Problem is,they are shy,especially when young,and are VERY difficult to handle,especially when adults,and not to mention their 6-8 foot sizes.Anyway,the food bill can be expensive.Anything from large rats,chicken,pork,and beef.Other food items are fish(such as tilapia,cichlids,goldfish),earthworms,crayfish,and freshwater snails.I've heard of some taking squid.However,when young,keep the food small.Rosy red minnows,guppies,giant danios,snails,crickets,and chopped worms make good food sources,and when they get a little larger(12+)you can add crayfish and smaller lizards(such as anoles)to the food list.
So yeah,I'm not going into tank sizes yet,maybe later.
wolfsburgfanatic
11-19-2008, 7:34 PM
I was reading up on this site. http://lonn.org/ragnar/croc/index.html I like the way the enclosure is setup. It is giving me ideas. But before I do anything though I am going to do more research on them.
Great link! I love the picture of the RES basking on top of the caiman :grinno: