Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I keep crocs in a southern coastal town. Locally we have an abundant supply of mullet and mummichogs (mud minnows locally). I have witnessed alligators feeding on both. They range into nearly fresh water. I have kept them alive in fresh water for a weekend. Would either be a problem for my niles? I have also witnessed young alligators feeding on fiddler crabs? Would this be a bad choice for captives? Irregulary? It seams that a large part of the diet of alligators in the brackish water creeks are mullet etc. Is this wrong? If the local alligators are enjoying these items, why can't my niles? I work hard to provide a vried diet. Would it be wise to pass this resource up or utilize it?

Brackish and saltwater food items are fine. The fishes do not contain too much salt just because they come from a high salt environment - rather they have developed ways of ridding their bodies of the excess. An example of that in crocodilians is the saltwater crocodile (also American croc). Both of these animals are more tolerant of the high salt conditions found in the sea and brackish waters than other crocs and gators are. The reason is that they have more well-developed glands (mostly on the tongue) that allow them to excrete the excess and maintain proper ratios of salt to water (osmoregulation). In addition, there are other things going on that help them regulate the salt content such as evaportative loss and excess intake via mouth and skin membranes. Even though they are more salt-tolerant, they will not drink saltwater, even if they are dehydrated. Actually, when all is said and done, salt to water ratios are pretty similar in all animals, regardless of their specific habitat.

There has been quite a bit of study and a lot of papers written about this. One source of easily understandable information is in the book “Crocodiles and Alligators” ed by Ross. In the section “Structure and Function” by Frank Mazzotti, an overview of this function is covered very well.

Probably more information than you were looking for, right?

Oh and by the way, mullet seems to be a fish that does not contain thaiminase (a bad thing) (see link) so you should be good to go. Just make sure this is not the only thing you feed it, they need a variety.

Thiaminase link
http://books.nap.edu/books/030903325X/html/64.html#pagetop

Bill

PS, living in a southern coastal town where mullet are found, I'm assuming you live in an area where there are indigenous populations of alligators. I trust you have the proper paperwork to keep them because they are Federally protected throughout their natural range.

I just reread your message and saw that you were talking about niles, not gators so the part about indigenous species is invalid. The dietary stuff still applies though.

Bill

Thankyou very much. There is never enough imformation. Thaiminase (sp?) was the largest concern. Salt levels in the flesh seamed irrelevant to me. I have heard otherwise. I wanted to be sure.
My crocs enjoy a fantastic diet. My wife kids that they are treated better than the rest of the family. They certainly require as much effort. My next concern may be over feeding.
If it is not too much to ask. . . .Where can I find some literature that covers the variation in the Nile crocodile. Suggested sub-species etc. Everything I have read covers them generally.
I want to express that I have been a enthusiaste all my life. I have been a keeper for five years. I have just recently discovered the crocodilian.com site and this forum. It has been a privelage to enjoy these sites. Thankyou for the link. I am eager to check it out.
George

whoops. . . .no gators here. I am in Beaufort SC. I wouldn't have a need to own one if they were legal. I enjoy watching a couple of particular groups here locally.