Typically, the mother will move the hatchlings from one location to the other in her jaws to an area that she sees fit. However, if the mother is not present (which I am quite surprised she wasnt at the moment you were there, as they typically stick quite close) then in my opinion the hatchlings have much less of a chance for survival. Do you monitor this area frequently? If you come around quite often w/ no mother present, then it's a possibility she has been killed or relocated as a possible "nuisance alligator".



I am not saying to do this, but most likely if I felt that the animals would not make it, due to the lack of water, cover, and their mother, then I would probably capture them and try to relocate them into an area that they would have a greater chance of survival. If you choose to do this, BE VERY CAREFUL as IF the mother is around, then you might be in a sticky situation. I would find a location that has LOTS of cover and a reasonable amount of water. Perhaps the mother was in the process of moving them, that could be the reason why there was only around 10 hatchlings w/ no mother present.



Chris
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Chris Law

U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)

Herpetoculture Element Representative

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