Alligator vocalization question...

[kittyhazelton]

So, as I work with this little alligator I'm learning a lot about their behavior and such, but I had a question.
Recently when I fed her, she was "barking" at me as I was feeding her, like I'd give her a bit of food (using long tongs) she'd take some, then after swallowing would look back at me and make this grunt/bark noise. Any alligator keepers know what this may be? Is it an excitement/threatening/begging sort of noise?
Just curious. She's about 3' long and we think about 3 years old.

 

[ceeej31]

if she was acting normal otherwise and eating okay i would rule out a threat display, she might have just been making happy sounds, like a cat purring

 

[kittyhazelton]

if she was acting normal otherwise and eating okay i would rule out a threat display, she might have just been making happy sounds, like a cat purring

Yeah, she wasn't being threatening that's for sure (she didn't have that "look" you know? lol) She usually lets it be known when she's pissed with me.

 

[Reptilesfishbirdsmammals]

im more caught that you have a pet alligator?..um hows that gonna work when its like 14' long? let alone i bet its a cat purring (thats a comparison)

 

[A. gigas]

begging or "i'm happy"

 

[snakeguy101]

I doubt it was an "im happy" vocalization. Call me pessimistic but I don't think our scaley friends like us as much as we like them. The gator chirp is a social call, usually to summon others. Perhaps if it was getting food it was signaling to other gators that there was food. New research shows that there is cooperative feedings and social structure among American alligators. Perhaps this is more evidence of this sort of thing?

 

[kittyhazelton]

im more caught that you have a pet alligator?..um hows that gonna work when its like 14' long? let alone i bet its a cat purring (thats a comparison)

No, it is NOT a "pet" alligator...
I run a reptile rescue and work with some local wildlife education programs. This animal was turned over to us by a landlord who found it in one of their tenants apartments. Despite them being illegal to keep as pets in all surrounding states somehow this guy ended up with one... (my guess is internet sales) Anyway, we're doing the best we can with this animal until more permanent housing arrangements are made (the alligator had obvious bacteria infection due to being kept in unsanitary conditions, as well as being treated for parasites)
As you can guess, there aren't many alligator keepers in New England, so I figured I'd ask questions about this animal on MFK since I know there's a few keepers here... as it is though, i have not been able to make a single post on this subject without getting attacked for having a "pet alligator" (it is NOT A PET!)
I appreciate informed and educated responses on the subject of alligator care. Thanks.

 

[jnk22]

I understand and value the services your work provides, in my state owning aligators and crocidilian is legal up to the size of 5 feet, then you need a permit. Every pet store around me has them in at one time or another I have a buddy with a 4 footer that is about 3 and a half he's had it since it was about 18 inches. his used to do the chirping when it was handled, I asume it was calling for mom, when the gator reached about 2 foot it started barking at feeding time. No aggression, just calling out. But that doesn't happen now, I believe it is just a social thing I also believe that after a while it stops, maybe due to no response. these are just my own observations, I am no expert, and have never owned one myself (due to size of enclosure required) But am around this particular one everyday, I hope this helps, even though I can't give you scientific reasons just my own observations.

 

[Etunes]

I doubt it was an "im happy" vocalization. Call me pessimistic but I don't think our scaley friends like us as much as we like them. The gator chirp is a social call, usually to summon others. Perhaps if it was getting food it was signaling to other gators that there was food. New research shows that there is cooperative feedings and social structure among American alligators. Perhaps this is more evidence of this sort of thing?

I agree

 

[ceeej31]

I doubt it was an "im happy" vocalization. Call me pessimistic but I don't think our scaley friends like us as much as we like them. The gator chirp is a social call, usually to summon others. Perhaps if it was getting food it was signaling to other gators that there was food. New research shows that there is cooperative feedings and social structure among American alligators. Perhaps this is more evidence of this sort of thing?

well you would definitely know better than i would, and what you say does make more sense, so I'm with you