Gator Info

[kittyhazelton]

I run a reptile rescue and we recently took in a small (3') American Alligator.
Now, these critters (and all other crocodilians) are illegal to keep in my state without a permit (I have an import and exhibit permit for education purposes) so the frequency of encountering these animals is pretty rare, and as a result we don't really have any local "experts"

The current enclosure is a 10'X3' stock tank that we will be putting a "topper" on so the gator can have the full space of the tank itself for swimming area with approximately 6-9' of space for basking.
Future plans for this animal may be of the following:
-Build add-on room in the house for permanent residency
-Build exhibit space at local wildlife education center with which I am affiliated
-Transferal to other qualified facility of which I have several different options.

What I'm MOST interested in are handling/taming tips and advice, behavioral information, growth rate to age ratios, suitable enclosure materials that are not easily broken, etc. As well as suitable housing temps, lighting requirements, and feeding schedule.

The animal has an appointment for health check as well as sexing.
Oh, and would love some name suggestions for the little guy.

 

[coura]

Here, one of the best online sources of info you can find http://crocodilian.com/crocfaq/

 

[A. gigas]

"cuddles"

 

[silvertip0]

You should name him Tubbs because he was in a bathtub.

 

[Lepisosteus platyrhincus]

Here, one of the best online sources of info you can find http://crocodilian.com/crocfaq/

this^

 

[A. gigas]

i still say name him cuddles

 

[M|L]

You should probably find it a new home where it can be properly accommodated.

 

[kittyhazelton]

You should probably find it a new home where it can be properly accommodated.

Thanks for the assumption that we aren't able to properly house this animal as it grows. But I would much more appreciate constructive info on their care.
I work with a local wildlife education center as well as to exhibits and educational shows myself. The ability to build and house an animal reaching 15+ is NOT outside of our means. The size tank I listed earlier was simply the temporary housing until something more suitable can be found/built (keep in mind, up until this point this alligator has been kept in deplorable conditions in someones BATHTUB!). Additionally, due to state restrictions from within my home state, and those surrounding us (NY, MA, VT, ME) it isn't so simple as offering the animal up for sale to "good home" on a classified ad.

Now, with that rant aside... APPROXIMATLEY how much time would I have to build a larger (probably 10X20') pen before this little guy outgrows the space we have available? The space we're building has water area 10X3', Land area 3X5'