Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey Guys,

My friend recently got a 36" A.Alligator, he had it outside in a 6' diameter x 24" deep pool. He had 16" of water, the land section had a screen lid over it, the rest had no cover. He has had the gator outdoors for over a month. The other day he noticed that the gator wasnt basking, and came to find the gator is missing. We are unsure if the gator somehow climbed/jumped out, or if a predator got him. Its really baffling because the only night predators around are racoons and I dont think a northern racoon would see a 3 foot gator as food, or be able to get to him when its submerged at night. But on the other hand there is nothing for the gator to cling/grasp to help/ support him getting out on his own. I plan on making a trip down to his farm this weekend to help look for him. I am just looking for some advice. I figure a captive juvie will be stressed and likely to be doing more hiding then walking around. This guys property is about 4 acres that are fenced in. he has a couple ponds on the property also. Will a captive gator be able to sense where the water is? I was wondering if we got a recording of hatchling making distress calls if that might help attract him? Any help will be great.

Thanks,
Charles

Charles,

Like yourself, I doubt that a raccoon had any part of that alligator. I would have to assume that either the alligator was stolen, or it escaped if there are no other predators in that area. Crocodilians of all kinds are good at locating new water sources. Think of alligators during the dry season and they have to travel to find a new water source.

As far as the hatchling distress call thing is concerned...I doubt that it would have much if any effect. This alligator is still a juvie himself, therefore, he/she does not have any maternal instincts to respond to such a call. However, sometimes in the wild these distress calls can attract the attention of other alligators, but many times they won't respond to it in the form of searching for the animal making the noise. A mother alligator would be a different scenario, but unfortunately this is not the case.

Good luck in finding the alligator.

My best,

Chris

>>Hey Guys,
>>
>>My friend recently got a 36" A.Alligator, he had it outside in a 6' diameter x 24" deep pool. He had 16" of water, the land section had a screen lid over it, the rest had no cover. He has had the gator outdoors for over a month. The other day he noticed that the gator wasnt basking, and came to find the gator is missing. We are unsure if the gator somehow climbed/jumped out, or if a predator got him. Its really baffling because the only night predators around are racoons and I dont think a northern racoon would see a 3 foot gator as food, or be able to get to him when its submerged at night. But on the other hand there is nothing for the gator to cling/grasp to help/ support him getting out on his own. I plan on making a trip down to his farm this weekend to help look for him. I am just looking for some advice. I figure a captive juvie will be stressed and likely to be doing more hiding then walking around. This guys property is about 4 acres that are fenced in. he has a couple ponds on the property also. Will a captive gator be able to sense where the water is? I was wondering if we got a recording of hatchling making distress calls if that might help attract him? Any help will be great.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Charles

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24 inches is not very tall at all. I don't think a 36" gator would have much trouble getting out of that.
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John Vandegrift

um, so it was only 8" from the top of the water to the top of his enclosure?? Man he could have gotten out of a 24" enclosure dry let alone with water to buoy him up first. Odd choice to not raise that edge. Unless we all want laws preventing us from keeping crocodilians / reptiles I suggest we police this type of stuff ourselves. I am not preaching, I have had escapes in my house over the years, it happens...but c'mon at least give it your best effort.

Anyway, good luck finding him, remember to think like a gator and look accordingly haha.

Tom