Reptile & Amphibian Forums

quick question....my juvi. gator sometimes uses her rear foot to scratch her eye when under water....not all the time, but sometimes...anybody know why?

They have an itch to scratch just like humans from time to time.

chris

>>quick question....my juvi. gator sometimes uses her rear foot to scratch her eye when under water....not all the time, but sometimes...anybody know why?
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U.A.P.P.E.A.L.
Uniting A Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League
www.uappeal.org

Careful...incessant scratching may be a sign of an irritant(s) in the water, such as excessive chlorine.
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Israel Dupont
Winter Haven, FL

I typically use a dechlorination liquid in the water that I use. Could other irritants be involved as well?

Chris

>>Careful...incessant scratching may be a sign of an irritant(s) in the water, such as excessive chlorine.
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>>Israel Dupont
>>Winter Haven, FL
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U.A.P.P.E.A.L.
Uniting A Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League
www.uappeal.org

Chris,

If you are using a product such as Zoo Med's Reptisafe, then your water if probably okay. Keep in mind that an alligator's natural water is different than our tap/hose water. Aquatic plants in a crocodilian's enclosure don't necessarily hurt either, as they regulate water's chemical composition.

As I always like to say: Albert Einstein said that "Imagination is more important than knowlege." Use your imagination to think of the differences between a crocodilian's (or any animal's)"natural" life, as opposed to a "captive" life, and then do your best to compensate for the difference.

By the way, it is 65 dgrees and beautiful outside, as I type this.
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Israel Dupont
Winter Haven, FL

ZooMed's Reptisafe is exactly what I use. I use it in all the water for my snakes, turtles and crocs.

Oh and by the way...It's 29 degrees, wet and miserable as I type this ...lol.

Thanks Izzy,

Chris

>>Chris,
>>
>>If you are using a product such as Zoo Med's Reptisafe, then your water if probably okay. Keep in mind that an alligator's natural water is different than our tap/hose water. Aquatic plants in a crocodilian's enclosure don't necessarily hurt either, as they regulate water's chemical composition.
>>
>>As I always like to say: Albert Einstein said that "Imagination is more important than knowlege." Use your imagination to think of the differences between a crocodilian's (or any animal's)"natural" life, as opposed to a "captive" life, and then do your best to compensate for the difference.
>>
>>By the way, it is 65 dgrees and beautiful outside, as I type this.
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>>Israel Dupont
>>Winter Haven, FL
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U.A.P.P.E.A.L.
Uniting A Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League
www.uappeal.org

thanks alot guys, i have two water filtration devies, 1 power head, and I also do 100% water changes atleast once a week...I was thinking on getting the underwater aqua plants maybe i will now...thanks guys
Jake