Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Im honestly having a struggle here within myslef and need to have some questions answered if some people would be so kind

Im trying to decide wether I should recieve a hatchling american alligator or a baby Copperhead for christmas (I know its past but im putting thought into this) from my wife.

1 Is it to much to ask, if I want a "pet" alligator ie not aggressive towards me, They deserve the utmost respect and I know that but I would want him/her to be non aggressive
2) How fast do they grow?

I apreciate all that help me out
Sincerly
PatrickR

BTW I have read over and over Croc faq.. I just wanted to hear what everyone hear had to say about things from your perspective

I have a Gator and my buddy keeps copperheads. The gator's requirements are much greater than the copperheads' are. Also, if you get bit by an adult gator whether it be a stupid feeding error(SFE) or out of aggression, you may lose a hand or a limb. On the other hand if you're bit by the copperhead you're just going to get sick as {expletive deleted}. My gator isn't tame but he is docile. I've never been bitten out of aggression in 3 years. I was nipped a few times when he was a hatchling while I was feeding him though. My gator's grown about a foot a year. Both animals need to be respected which I'm sure you know. Just take into consideration the housing requirements of the gator. If I had to make your decision for you I'd take both . Well, good luck and I hope that helped some...

What a choice huh?

I keep both. The copperhead is a small, easy to care for , good 'beginner'(if there is such a thing) venomous snake. Not to be trifled with, but I find them very beautiful. There care and maintenance is virtually nil.

The alligator will be a much bigger undertaking. On all fronts.

Might I ask why just those 2 options?

Why just those two options.. Well it would be my first in both categories... never owned a hot and never owned an alligator.. but obsessed with both... More then a copperhead i think i would sell my left kidney for a Cerastes cerastes (desert horned viper) but am cautious as a first animal lacking antivenin where I live...at least the copper lives locally in this state. As for the alligotr, honestly it is the only lizard I want in the reptile family just due to looks, diet and personality... as a general rule I dont like and cant care for Herbivores right now. So those where the two options I pegged for myself
Sincerly
PatrickR

oooooohhhh your killing me, haha.

Alligators are NOT lizards.

They are crocodilians