i know that the farms do but you will need a good nesting site for them or they will never "do it"
american alligator
- Thread starter Sampsin73
- Start date
I say slap em in the bath tub with dim lights some candles a little velveeta and some luther vandross
First, you need a pair of sexually mature animals. Then there are two key factors. Space and conditions. You need a space large enough for the courtship to take place. This means a pool large enough for them to copulate. They will do this for about a week. Prior to that, the female needs to know there is a good nest site near. Sand and grassy mounds work well. She'll determine the location based on temp and humidity. Once they breed, you'll see her eat much more. Make sure to moniter the diet and keep her calcium level good, but not high. Too much calcium will result in egg shells the young won't get out of, too little and the eggs will be too soft to survive. (That coming from first hand experience.) When she gets close to the clutch date, she'll go off of food (and stay off for an extended period of time). She will be very defensive of the nest site.
Are you thinking of parent rearing or artificial incubation and hand raising the clutch?
Edit: Here are some pics I have. Not an American gator, but still fun!
Are you thinking of parent rearing or artificial incubation and hand raising the clutch?
Edit: Here are some pics I have. Not an American gator, but still fun!
exactly what i was thinking
This is an interesting question. But also, if you plan on incubating yourself, how do you get past 'mum'?
We did it with team work. The sandbed/ nest area we had was constructed so it could be sectioned off in situations like this. We lured her off by getting her to chase us, the doors were then lowered down to prevent her from getting back. It takes a lot of time and care to remove eggs, but you also have to do it quickly. We were in and out in 5 minutes. At that point the doors were lifted and she defended her area again like nothing had happened.
If you pull eggs, you should play juv cries for the female to hear. It's a good cue to let her know not to defend the area any longer since they've hatached. One thing to think about it parental care she'll feel the need for. You most likely will see a 'sad' croc for awhile when she has no young to look after. Empty nest syndrom if you will.
If you pull eggs, you should play juv cries for the female to hear. It's a good cue to let her know not to defend the area any longer since they've hatached. One thing to think about it parental care she'll feel the need for. You most likely will see a 'sad' croc for awhile when she has no young to look after. Empty nest syndrom if you will.
