Iam gitting my first alligator

[Cameron...G]

just forget it. i had it figured out and talked it over with my parents and this is what happens when i share my happiness about what iam geting.

[SoberGuy]

Dude, don't freak out because people don't support your latest endeavor. They think there's a great chance you'll get hurt or killed. Uhm, that's called looking out for you, not slamming you. If people don't think you're ready to get one, allow them to say so, and consider what they say. You have to realize some of these poeple have been working with various reptiles since before you were born. You need to calm down and think about what's being said, instead of just getting upset.

[Yungair23]

Hmm an alligator well good luck with that! I dont reccomend it. If they drop home owners insuarance ( in MA ) for just having a pitbull i wonder what they would do for an alligator? Is it legal where you are?

[morti]

This young man is looking for advice and here are all of you rude people slamming on him.

I have some advice on the best way to care for your new gator. Are you ready to hear it?

OK, you said you want to build an outdoor enclosure in Las Vegas where there is zero percent humidity. This is a bad idea because Alligators come from the Southeast US where there is 70 - 100 % humidity ALL the Time. They also need 85 - 95 degrees all the time. So the best advice I can give you to keep a gator is: Move to Florida.

Baring that, you could convert your basement into a Gator enclosure. What's that? You don't have a basement?

I suppose you could convert a room on the main floor of your home into a gator enclosure. That'll suck when the giant pond springs a leak and destroys everything though.

You want what's best for the animals in your care don't you?

It's what most of us want afterall.

Then look past the idea that you know better than all of these people that have been keeping reptiles for a long time. YOU came HERE for advice. The best advice I have seen regarding keeping a gator is "Don't Get One".

That is the advice I am going to follow. I reccomend that you consider that same advice.

[Heidi]

Cameron. I remember you from one of your first post asking about morphs. I remember specifically because I have a sibling to your hypos. And, unfortunately you were in a position that you were having to sell the female. Didn't fit into your plans or maybe too mean, I see she hisses when I look at the pictures.

Looking through some of the other post you were talking about breeding, which is another big endeaver for someone your age. I am not talking about responsibility because there is no possible way for a 15 year old to have the kind of responsibility that it would require to get into breeding the way you were explaining without a job to finance what the animals will need. Now, your talking about getting a gator? Come on. I will take a big risk here and speak for everybody else including myself when I say that you will not find support for this.

Look through your post with an open mind and try to read them coming from someone elses point of view. You are young, irresponsible and immature. You have a lot of growing up to do. I would support VERY few full grown, adult, responsible men with raising a gator.

	Hypomelanistic Hypomelanistic - a genetic reduction in the dark pigment Melanin.

	Morph A morph is a color or pattern variation that is proven to be genetic. Common morphs include albino, anerythristic, gentically striped, Hypomelanistic, and many others. Morphs also include combinations of simple traits such as "Sunglow" which is Albino and Hypomelanistic. These traits may be recessive traits, co-dominant traits, dominant traits, or created through selective breeding (ie Pastel).

[fire_kat]

I am not trying to be harsh or mean when I say PLEASE reconsider.Even if you are mature enough and even if your parents think you are ready for a gator,it isn't a good idea to get one.
*****SUGGESTION:Volunteer at the local zoo,find someone who has hands-on experience and help them with the gators they have.Read literature about care and housing/heating requirements,etc.,you need to see what gator care really is all about before you just go get one!
**Research deaths and injuries related to captive gators and under educated and inexperienced handlers.
**Have your parents contact the insurance company about coverage while housing a gator.
**Find out the laws/restrictions in your area.
**Ask your mother what she will do if no one is around and the full grown gator escapes?*What would you do?
**What will you do if you have to move and can't take it with you?
**What if it becomes sick?Is there a vet that will treat a gator?*Can you afford to get treatment for a sick gator?


My husband has wanted a gator for years!I am completely against it and we will not be getting one.I have alot of animals and they are ALL cared for extremely well and I am confident in my abilities to care for each one and have been able meet all their needs,snakes-lizards-dogs-cats-etc. are not even close to owning a gator!.I know that a gator is a HUGE responsiblity and LIABILITY!!I am not willing to put myself,my children or the gator in a situation that could result in injury or improper care.My husband agrees Although,he still wants one,he sees how irrational and unrealistic getting such an animal would be.

WHY???Why do you want one?To be cool?Bragging rights?
Please think about this and be realistic!!

Good luck!
I hope you have a GREAT Holiday!!!

[atricaudatus]

real men buy adult gators

baby gators are for wimps

get a 10ft gator with an attitude and tell me how much fun they are

when a 4ft gator gets you on the hand one good time, you'll be tired of it and it will suffer

maybe someone will make you suffer one day in the same way

[Jatango]

I've assisted with moving gators, crocs and a craaaazy looking gharial, and let me tell you, Steve Irwin wasn't kidding when he piled 3 or 4 of his guys on one animal. One well-placed tail whip can break your leg but good. What happens if you have to move that monster somewhere and he doesn't really want to go? It took 4 of us to move a croc, and all I was able to handle was the tail. Do you and your dad have at least 2 other experienced buddies to help with this gator?

Believe me, it was fun working with them, I won't deny it...but it was ALWAYS dangerous. When you hear their jaws snap shut, there is NO joking about what they could do to an arm or leg. Would your health insurance cover a "pet gator" bite? Mine wouldn't be a big fan. I was bitten during my internship by a hatchling. I cleaned and cleaned the thing and you know what happened? GROSS infection...from a hatchling. My boss has been bitten on the calf and his assistant got nailed by a little freshwater croc. Tore through his boot and that little guy was only 3ft. It's not like getting bitten by a constrictor by a long shot. If you think being squished is bad, try a death-roll. Mistakes have MUCH more consequence, you must be constantly aware.

Like others have said, you can't provide the humidity for the poor thing, and they really need it. If you don't want to listen to us, just imagine your poor baby gator all dehydrated and lethargic...not eating, not moving, just sitting in the water in his pool with his mouth gaped open. I know I'D be miserable. So seriously, ignore all of us, but PLEASE think of this soon-to-be very large gator.