Before you consider purchasing an alligator, you should know that keeping an alligator as a pet may be illegal, depending on where you live. Know the laws concerning the possession of exotic animals before purchasing a pet alligator, as some states impose hefty fines for violators.
Most people that have an opportunity to see alligators in the wild typically regard adult alligators as aggressive and dangerous, which they should. Those are some of the traits that make baby alligators “cute” and enticing to own. However, this stage of an alligator’s life is short-lived as baby alligators grow quickly, as much as one foot each year. An average adult female can be eight feet long, while a male can grow to be eleven feet long.
Alligator Habitat Requirements
Due to a baby alligator’s rapid growth, appropriate housing may pose a problem after the first year. Additionally, providing a habitat conducive for the proper growth and health of a baby alligator is both expensive and essential.
A healthy habitat consists of a container large enough for a dry land area, a basking area, and a swimming pool where the baby gator can swim and fully submerge. Each area requires different temperatures to be maintained and controlled with thermostats. Decks and/or floating props may be necessary to help baby alligators maneuver between areas of the aquarium. In addition, water filters are essential for keeping the water clean, avoiding bacteria and fungi which can promote health issues in baby gators.
Alligator Feeding Requirements
Baby alligators aren’t very choosy to what type of food they eat. Most baby alligators will devour small fish, minnows, goldfish and crayfish. As they grow, larger food sources such as mice, turtles, frogs, birds and small mammals will be required. Healthy, adult alligators in their natural habitat can fuel themselves on one weekly meal. Some species have been known to live for two to three years without eating. Although supplemental feeding can consist of commercially prepared food available in pet stores, growing alligators cannot exist on ready-made food alone.
Physical/Emotional Requirements
Puppies, kittens, and other traditional pets thrive with positive physical contact from their owner; one of the characteristics that make some species of puppies and kittens ideal pets for children. Children like to explore, touch and investigate as do puppies and kittens. Alligators do not like to be touched and doing so can prompt aggressiveness, and injuries resulting from alligator bites can be quite severe.
According to an article on American Alligators by the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, alligators can live in the wild for up to 50 years. Therefore, if you’ve determined that an alligator is the pet for you, prepare yourself for a long relationship, and prepare your home with an outdoor built-in pool specially made to accommodate your pet by the time it reaches eight years of age.
Sources: Smithsonian National Zoological Park: American Alligators; CrocSite.com
