Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I am new to the forums but have posted many pics here. Under Charles and gatorsncrocs.
My question is what are the best steps to introducing sub adult a.alligators? I have pac my 6 ' 6-7yr old male. I just got him a female that is 4.5' and 5yrs old. I put her in his enclosure and observed her for some as she walked around, then she went into the pool where he was. He knew something was up, he started swimming around and as soon as she bumped him he went for her tail. She got away. He then opened his mouth and swam around abit then laid on the bottom of the pool with his mouth open. She bumped him again and he went for her tail again. I pulled her out and have them seperate. I have 9-10 yrs hands on experience with gators and caiman, but it is mostly younger and 1 on 1. So introducing subadults is new for me. Any tips?

Better to intro male to females enclosure. Not that it will matter much at this size. When SHE is ready to be a pair you WON'T be able to keep them apart. Even if HE isn't ready she is the one who will make the decision. If she isn't ready she'll probably stress and do poorly if she is ready she is prepared to take a few ass whippings. Which he will oblige.
Danny Conner

I split them up last night. And put her back in his enclosure today which is half my basement. I put a second basking and pool area in.I hung some tarps to act as dividers so they wont see each other. So she has gone from the new area and back into his pool, back and forth all day. He has from what I have seen, ignored her today. She is pretty active, but he is staying in his pool. Will he just beat her up, or will he try to kill her if he is unhappy?

Thanks for you time,
Charles

At 6 feet he is not to far off from wanting to breed. With that in mind he should be content with a couple of beatings.
My old female at a similar size would go over a 4 foot fence to join her future mate. He would chew her up and I would put her back in her own enclosure. After the fourth time I said the heck with it and let her stay.Within weeks the fighting stopped and she was literally pulling food out of his mouth at feeding time.
When they were younger she was older and maybe a foot longer(3.5 & 4.5)I tried to put them together and though he was smaller he almost killed her. At that size breeding was not in the equation everyone was an enemy defend his territory at all cost. I've seen the same behavior with my salts. They are not breeding size yet so they are still seperate but when they were smaller I had them together until he made it clear that he was going to be an only croc.
Introducing animals, any animals, is always scarey. The barriers the sharing of an area all these are good ideas.If they are ready to be a pair they'll be fine.Keep an eye on them.And remember stress is what kills crocodilians.
Danny Conner

Thanks for your insight, I hope all goes well this winter until they go outside in their new home.

Thanks again,Charles