Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am having a problem with my american alligator. When I first purchased him he was perfectly fine and I kept him in a 30 gallon aquarium in which I dont think he liked very well. He lived in the aquarium for about a year. I then purchased a 190 gallon tub to place him in. He was very calm from that point forward until recently when the temperature has dropped. I know alligators are pretty easy to adapt to cooler temperatures but could the sudden coolness be causing him to be a little stressed out? Normally I can handle him without a hiss, snap or anything. Now I am getting all of the above. If anyone has any suggestions I am all ears. ( well eyes). Thanks in advance.

Chris

Hi Chris,

When alligators become cold they can instictually feel more vulnerable since they cannot physically respond to a threat as well as when they are warm. Don't take it personal, it's likely that these are solely survival instinct driven reactions. Just warm him or her up and this should go away. Or,. if you are intending to allow him to hibernate or "winter sleep" then just accept this behavior as normal and give him the neccesary space that he needs to feel safe and secure.

>>I am having a problem with my american alligator. When I first purchased him he was perfectly fine and I kept him in a 30 gallon aquarium in which I dont think he liked very well. He lived in the aquarium for about a year. I then purchased a 190 gallon tub to place him in. He was very calm from that point forward until recently when the temperature has dropped. I know alligators are pretty easy to adapt to cooler temperatures but could the sudden coolness be causing him to be a little stressed out? Normally I can handle him without a hiss, snap or anything. Now I am getting all of the above. If anyone has any suggestions I am all ears. ( well eyes). Thanks in advance.
>>
>>
>>
>> Chris
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Pebbles create ripples.
Ripples can become tidal waves.
Tidal waves sink ships.
The largest ships sink the fastest.
All Titanics are created equally.

Hey Brian,

First off thanks for the quick reply. His water is pretty cool. Would it be a good idea to get an underwater heater for him to keep his water at a reasonable comfortable temperature for him? If so about how high watt should I use for about 30-40 gallons to keep the water about 7 degrees? Thanks again brian.

Hi Chris,

7 degrees? Was that supposed to be 87 degrees, 70-something, or 7 celsius? Even that would be way too low. I will assume you meant either 70-something degrees farenheit or 87. In my opinion anything between 75 and 90 is fine as long as he has a basking spot that is or exceeds 90 degrees. (but not above 100 or so)

As to what to use,.... On indoor ponds less than 100 gallons I use fully submersible water heaters that have a thermostat that reaches up to 92 degrees. I usually get the highest wattage available.

Then I make a "protective water heater sheath" out of 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch hardware cloth first shaped like a tunnel and then inserted into a large 1 inch thick pancake or oval of wet concrete. Make this tunnel of wire with only one entrance, the other end being submerged into the concrete. Once this dries, the water heater is inserted into the wire tunnel and fixed so that it cannot be pulled out. (Usually by bending excess wire back down over the only opening) This makes a very sturdy, med and small gator-proof water heater housing. It is also too heavy to be pulled from the water, which would cause the glass to break and which could cause your gator to be shocked.

Install a GFI or "ground fault interrupter" outlet where you plug this water heater in to further ensure against any electrocution accidents. These have a low-wattage built-in trip system in case of short circuits.

Your gator should ignore the wire leading to the water heater, but I always hide it under rocks and behind things anyway, 'just in case'. Set the thermostat to 88 or 90 degrees and your gator will be very content in no time at all.

I hope this helps.

>>Hey Brian,
>>
>> First off thanks for the quick reply. His water is pretty cool. Would it be a good idea to get an underwater heater for him to keep his water at a reasonable comfortable temperature for him? If so about how high watt should I use for about 30-40 gallons to keep the water about 7 degrees? Thanks again brian.
-----
Pebbles create ripples.
Ripples can become tidal waves.
Tidal waves sink ships.
The largest ships sink the fastest.
All Titanics are created equally.

Brian,

Sorry about that. I meant 72 degrees. Yes your input helps alot. I will be sure to do that. My little brother enjoyed handling my alligator but I dont want him to get bitten because the alligator is in a foul mood due to the lack of heat it is given. I know that he can live in these conditions but I dont think he prefers or likes it very well ya know. Thanks again.

I hope this will be the last question brian. I hear bacteria grow in warm water. So if I get the water too warm would that cause any health issues with my gator in the long run???

I am no expert on bacteria growth, but I think that bacteria can grow in any water temps between just above freezing and about 160 farenheit. So just focus on changing your water frequently and get a nice filtration system.

But seriously,. gators are VERY hardy animals and I don't think you need to worry so much about that. I'd bet that the gator holes during drought conditions in the wild are a bacterium-stew. Also, I have never had a sick gator or a gator die of bacteria related problems. The only one I have lost was a young one (4 foot, 6 years) about 20 years ago that bit through the glass of a water heater and got electrocuted. (hense my water heater shroud invention). Other than this, I have had no gator deaths. And I have had literally hundreds of them. This should tell you something about their cast iron constitutions.

>>I hope this will be the last question brian. I hear bacteria grow in warm water. So if I get the water too warm would that cause any health issues with my gator in the long run???
-----
Pebbles create ripples.
Ripples can become tidal waves.
Tidal waves sink ships.
The largest ships sink the fastest.
All Titanics are created equally.

ok brian, Thanks alot. You really helped alot. Thanks again

You are most welcome. Any time.

>>ok brian, Thanks alot. You really helped alot. Thanks again
-----
Pebbles create ripples.
Ripples can become tidal waves.
Tidal waves sink ships.
The largest ships sink the fastest.
All Titanics are created equally.

The temperature in his water is about 70 degrees. He has a warm spot to stay in. I have a 150watt heat lamp hanging about a little over 2 feet from his basking spot to ensure he gets plenty of basking heat. He usually spends quite a few hours in that spot. Thanks again