Ok,... I read through the sections on american alligators and here is my take on it;
It's mostly very accurate and factual. But I disagree with a few general assertions. And keep in mind, this is more of a, "my opinion" vs "their apparent opinon" on the matter of keeping gators as pets. They really seem to hammer home that it is not a good first reptile pet to begin with. This based mainly on eventual size. And also keep in mind that I am paraphrasing here, not quoting. But they also state, quite accurately, that it takes 15 to 20 years for the animals to attain considerable size. Now,.... a few points about these facts and a few others I want to point out: I personally feel that alligators make fine first reptile pets. The main reason, unlike some of the other, smaller species that were suggested as alternative pets due to small sizes, they are about the most durable reptile one can raise. So much less is likely to go wrong resulting in death as it would be for a more delicate species being kept by a beginner herp enthusiest. Also, the croc-facs stated something to the effect that gators could be "tamed" if worked with for a lot of time. I disagree with this too. Alligators are very docile to begin with. All one really needs to do is to gain their trust and keep it. Once the alligator trusts you and understands that you are the bringer of food, you have a nice, docile pet for life. Mostly. I admit that once in a while there is an "exception gator" that is just un-approachable and no amounts of time spent will win him/her over. I know because i have one. She is just like she was 25 years ago as a juvenile. Just as all the other adults are just like they were a quarter century ago. One thing about gators is that they are pretty constant. What I mean by this is that they will usually stay the same throughout their life unless they experience some form of trauma related to a human or if it is a female temporarily with eggs or kids. I have had gators go through severe behavioral changes due to being moved, but would return to their "old selves" over a lengthy period of time (2 years on average). (When I say "moved" I mean in a vehicle from one place to another, not just dragged across the yard). Another thing about them being a good first pet is the length of time that it takes for them to become big. I think a person can grow and learn with the gator as it grows so that any additional "work" involved with keeping them, that is related to their size, should be a cinch by that time. Because the keeper's knowledge, ability, age and responsibility has grown as the gator has grown.
The last thing that I slightly disagree with is the statements concerning the cost of keeping the animals. They state that it costs more when the animal is bigger than when it is smaller. I have found it to be the very opposite. Granted, if one had to keep their gator in an indoor environment in a condo or an appartment, this would be very true. But if one has ample land to house them on and lives in a region that does not freeze, then it should be cheaper as they get bigger. Speaking of my own gators, as they get bigger their metabolisms slow down dramatically and instead of eating every day or every other day, they show interest in eating once or twice a week at best during the hot months. I usually find their fish, beef and chicken for under 1 dollar a pound. Even the big males only eat maybe 5 to 8 pounds in a good feeding. But young gators,.. man,... they can pack it in and digest it and eat again the next day. If it is cost of environment that was being alluded to, I think that could apply. My ponds are made of concrete and average between 200 and 1500 depending on size. I do the construction myself, so that is just materials. My big ponds usually require anywhere from 7 to 10 yards of concrete that cost between 600 and 900 dollars. The rest of the cost is in filtration systems. But then again, I have had really small environments that were elaborate cost me over 3,000 dollars. So it's all relative. But food-wise,.. I think the most expensive years are between 3 and 6 feet when they are still growing and eating frequently, but not yet mature.
Sidenote: I don't mean to offend any person that worked on writting the croc facs info. These are just my personal opinions on these specific matters based on my personal experiences with gators.
>>I am also wondering what u dont agree with on the crocfaq?
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>>thank u
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True "power" is not to be found in social or economic placement or stature, which are merely illusory, finite, frail and brief.
True power is to be found in one's sheer will and personal determination to achieve one's goals at ANY cost and at ANY sacrifice.
. Not only do I intend to write some on factual aspects, but I also intend to write at least one on a particularly tame gator from a "true story" point of view. She is just such a character that her story needs to be told.