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I am so excited, the real reason I'm posting is to ask what you guys think of the enclosure. It's 8' x 4' x 28" the pond is 3.5' wide and a circle, the filter in the pond is ment for double the amount of water in it , the subsrate is cypress mulch top soil mix, the basking temp is 105, ambient temp 80. Now my question is is this to much land to water ratio, because the 3.5' pond is only temperary the real pond wil be 5' x 4'.
Thanks

I guess my curiosity is where you state, "New BABY gator coming!". The fact that you have that large of an enclosure is quite nice to hear, but it might be a bit of an overkill for a young hatchling. Too large of enclosures can actually work against you some some degrees when it comes to young crocodilians. However, it sounds great that you have set that enclosure up for him and as he grows he should fit it quite nicely. Atleast until you get him home and get him situated, I would possibly put him in something a little smaller until he gets used to things a little. However, remember that he WILL grow fast provided that you provide him proper temps and food intake and therefore, that 8'x 4' enclosure will get shot up quite quickly. However, it sounds like you have a stable environment for atleast the next couple of years.

Good luck.

Chris

>>I am so excited, the real reason I'm posting is to ask what you guys think of the enclosure. It's 8' x 4' x 28" the pond is 3.5' wide and a circle, the filter in the pond is ment for double the amount of water in it , the subsrate is cypress mulch top soil mix, the basking temp is 105, ambient temp 80. Now my question is is this to much land to water ratio, because the 3.5' pond is only temperary the real pond wil be 5' x 4'.
>>Thanks
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My Website
www.herpfanatic.com

when I thought about it I relised that the enclosue is to large for an 8 inch baby, a 2 and a half foot gator would do fine, but its not that large. Do you feel it would be better to take a piece of plywood and put it across the cage I alreay have setup so the enclosure would only be 4' x 4' with a 3.5' pool taking up most of the space but sill provideing land, or should I setup one of those cages I see all the time on the internet where it's only water with a log or a rock for the animal to rest and bask on?

( like below )

Thanks for the help.

A setup similar to the one shown would be perfectly sufficient. It also wouldnt hurt to add a little more land if possible, but not entirely necessary. Nice looking setup.
You dont want to overkill on the setup at his age. Younger crocodilians are naturally insecure and stressed because of "predators" and such (while of course there are none in your captive environment, he doesn't quite realize that) and therefore too much space, especially if you dont offer enough hiding spots and cover, would stress the animal out a little more than you would like. Furthermore, I would refrain from handling your alligator as much as possible for atleast the first year being that hatchlings are so easily stressed.

Chris

>>when I thought about it I relised that the enclosue is to large for an 8 inch baby, a 2 and a half foot gator would do fine, but its not that large. Do you feel it would be better to take a piece of plywood and put it across the cage I alreay have setup so the enclosure would only be 4' x 4' with a 3.5' pool taking up most of the space but sill provideing land, or should I setup one of those cages I see all the time on the internet where it's only water with a log or a rock for the animal to rest and bask on?
>>
>>( like below )
>>
>>Thanks for the help.
>>
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My Website
www.herpfanatic.com

It's not necessarily true that your enclosure is to large. If you provide alot of cover the effect will be the same.

I think your doing ok. Is the animal feeding well?
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CDieter
'Reason, observation, and experience; the holy trinity of science.'

I don't have the gator yet it will be here tomarrow, I setup a new cage like the one in the pic, out of a large rubbermaid tud, and some rocks,there are already fish living in the water for when he arives. this cage will only be temperary.
Thanks for all the help.