Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I once read about a guy who had kept an American alligator in a 20 gallon for its whole life. The alligator was an adult but it fit in a 20 gallon. Has anyone heard about an incident where someone had stunted the growth of a crocodilian by keeping it in an enclosure that was too small? Is that an example of a reptile growing to the size of its environment or something else?

Stunted growth can be achieved by heavily reducing food intake, improper food items when fed and reduced ambient temperatures. It is unhealthful to the animal and will eventually lead to the animals death. The individual who has done this in my opinion is guilty of animal abuse.

Chris

>>I once read about a guy who had kept an American alligator in a 20 gallon for its whole life. The alligator was an adult but it fit in a 20 gallon. Has anyone heard about an incident where someone had stunted the growth of a crocodilian by keeping it in an enclosure that was too small? Is that an example of a reptile growing to the size of its environment or something else?
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I agree that it's abuse! What I can't get over is the thought of something the size of an adult alligator fitting in an enclosure as small as a 20 gallon! What worries me is the thought that someone might read this same story and think that it's okay to do that to an animal; like it's a way to save space.

well some might say that keeping such animals in captivity is abuse no matter what and you are stunting the growth of one by keeping it as a pet because they will never grow the amount in captivity as they would in the wild anyway. if you wanna point fingers and accuse someone of wrong doing you can start in the mirror

Manhattagator,

For someone who is keeping a Crocodilian illegally, you certainly have alot of "advice" to offer. I must say that your posts rarely leave me unamused.

"they will never grow the amount in captivity as they would in the wild anyway"

Hmmm, looks like you have been reading the wrong books my friend. If your animal won't reach it's natural size in captivity it will be because YOU failed it. I haven't seen any research that will state that these animals can't obtain "wild" sizes in captivity. The only thing that prevents these animals from obtaining "wild" sizes in captivity are when the people keep them FAIL in husbandry practices.

I would strongly recommend that you take a good look at yourself before trying to correct anyone else's "concerns".

Chris
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My Website
www.herpfanatic.com

With chris 100% in captivity thay grow faster are healthier and live longer but only if its getting proper husbandry. not starting any thing just agreeing 100%

Chris IS 100% CORRECT.Open mouth insert foot me thinks.

I've actually heard that they can achieve larger sizes and longer lives in captivity because of lack of competition and readily available food sources.

"...for it's whole life..."

Hmmm, I wonder how long the poor thing lived for under those conditions. Maybe all of a year or two?