American Alligator husbandry questions.

[Daniel.michelle]

Trust me, you are better off working or volunteering with someone who has one. Crested geckos and beardies are TOTALLY different from alligators.

I keep monitors and work with large ones on a regular basis, and i would not even try getting an alligator. I recoment doing research on some smaller monitor lizards like savannahs, tree monitors or other "small" monitors. Start at varanustalk.com and savannahmonitor.net even if you're not that into those lizards specifically, there are experts on large lizards.

[KMG]

ive had 2 crested geckos, own a turtle, and had 2 beardies. Both the geckos and beardies have died of old age. Mt turtle is still alive and well. I have a 3 bedroom trailer only two are full. The king size is open as i didnt need that much space. I seen HUGE plastic tubs that could easily fit a adult croc. Ive had experience with lizards however im new to snakes. I called the state rep office for further information on state regulations and permits needed... Im gettin the animal for the love of the animal, not for anything more. Its upsetting people let them go as adults as they should be fully prepped for an adult in the first place. Im more than ready to own one but need the permits. I want to have hands on physical knowledge of these animals as i find them interesting, the same reason people buy snakes. They find them interesting and have a loving, caring, burning passion for them. I have that same passion for crocs. I want one.

So which is it, Alligator or Crocodile?

Many people keep Caiman Crocs but they are much smaller than an American Alligator. Are you confused of what you want?

A trailer bedroom is not going to be the proper environment to house a large alligator or crocodile. I have never seen a plastic tub large enough to hold an adult croc, not unless you count pre-molded swimming pools. I don't think you realize how large these animals truly are.

[DennisM]

... Im more than ready to own one but need the permits

of course you're ready to keep a 10 ft 500 lb animal in the spare bedroom, after all, you've kept beardies.

[KMG]

Ive been ready to do many things in my life but that does not mean that I could, should, or would.

I don't get how you go from having to save up to buy a snake to ready to build out an alligator or crocodile(whichever it is) enclosure.

Where can I buy a gator tub?

[Eric Alan]

Im more than ready to own one but need the permits. I want to have hands on physical knowledge of these animals as i find them interesting, the same reason people buy snakes. They find them interesting and have a loving, caring, burning passion for them. I have that same passion for crocs. I want one.

I can certainly appreciate that, but you're going to need more than a loving, caring, burning passion to get a permit:

58 PA Code §147.81. Special Permits - Endangered or Threatened Species - Scope.
(a) The permit will only be issued if it can be established that the possession of the endangered species will enhance the species as a whole.

[Aercadia]

I'm very curious now - it's "legal to own" one of these animals, IF you get the right permits, but they'll only issue permits to (it sounds like) wildlife preserve personnel or zoo workers... so, doesn't that effectively make it NOT legal to own, for the layperson?

Legal-ese is so tricky to wade through.

[Eric Alan]

I'm very curious now - it's "legal to own" one of these animals, IF you get the right permits, but they'll only issue permits to (it sounds like) wildlife preserve personnel or zoo workers... so,doesn't that effectively make it NOT legal to own, for the layperson?

For a "layperson" in PA, that's basically it, yeah.

[skatefastdieyoung]

Just decided that american alligator might be a little much (for now) but seeing that i adore both crocodiles and alligators, ive made the decision of purchasing a smooth fronted caiman.

[John1982]

Shinisaurus crocodilurus
Dracaena guianensis
Tribolonotus gracilis

You get the crocodilian look without risk of serious mauling or death when you make a mistake.

[tbowman]

Need help understanding requirements, meals, etc. Pretty much just need help with knowledge about what i need to know and physically have.

Im more than ready to own one but need the permits.

Seems like quite the contradiction here. You've clearly displayed that you have absolutely no knowledge of the basic husbandry requirements of the animals in question, not to mention safe handling techniques for apex predator crocodilians. A caiman may be a smaller animal but it is nothing to jump into sight unseen just because you like them. Any crocodilian is going to be financially very demanding to keep in the colder states.

If you're truly serious about keeping crocodilians, Look into Shawn Heflick's Crocodile University program that he does. Spend the roughly $1000 on the course and learn the proper husbandry, handling, and other fundamental aspects of keeping crododilians. Learn from the people who are truly qualified. I guarantee that will give you a much better insight on whether or not crocodilians are something you want to get into. As well as I'm sure it'll make any permitting process easier, having that hands on time with dedicated crocodilian keepers.