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Alligator missing tips of toes...

RobnGravez Mar 28, 2004 12:55 AM

I have a question regarding the tips of my gator's toes. On his front right foot the toe that's most rearward(towards the tail with no claw) is missing just past the first knuckle. On his hind foot, same side, the same toe (one without claw) is missing just the tip and the claw is broken in half(like a human breaking a nail) on the most inward(closer to the body) toe. The wounds look like they're healing well and there isn't any fungus around them or anywhere else on him. I noticed he managed to collapse a rock cave I built for him as a hide spot in the water. I'm thinking that he may have gotten his toes caught between the rocks. I can provide pictures if this will help. Basically, I'm wondering if there's any kind of strange health problems that may have caused this to happen or if it's just a physical injury. Thanks so much.
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All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.

Replies (4)

BrianSmith Mar 28, 2004 07:56 AM

Was there a period of time where he was housed with another gator? It is not uncommon for gators to take off each other's weaker outer toes as they compete for food.

>>I have a question regarding the tips of my gator's toes. On his front right foot the toe that's most rearward(towards the tail with no claw) is missing just past the first knuckle. On his hind foot, same side, the same toe (one without claw) is missing just the tip and the claw is broken in half(like a human breaking a nail) on the most inward(closer to the body) toe. The wounds look like they're healing well and there isn't any fungus around them or anywhere else on him. I noticed he managed to collapse a rock cave I built for him as a hide spot in the water. I'm thinking that he may have gotten his toes caught between the rocks. I can provide pictures if this will help. Basically, I'm wondering if there's any kind of strange health problems that may have caused this to happen or if it's just a physical injury. Thanks so much.
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>>All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.
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Believe in yourself and your abilities and you can accomplish anything.

RobnGravez Mar 28, 2004 01:31 PM

No, he has always been housed alone.
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All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.

Bill Moss Mar 28, 2004 06:00 PM

Do you have any pinch points in the area that the animal moves around in? A pond I use in the summer has rocks inset into cement around the edge and in some areas the rocks were too close and created pinch points where a toe would get caught, I saw it happen. I didn't see any broken toes because of it, but there could have been. I've since chipped the rock out of areas that were too close for a toe to easily pass through. The attached photo shows what I'm talking about.

RobnGravez Mar 29, 2004 05:44 PM

I believe that to be the case. The cave I made for him to hide in consisted of three pieces of slate that I didn't cement together. They had large enough gaps between them and the enclosure that he could have gotten his toes stuck. When I noticed his missing toes I noticed too that he managed to knock this cave over. Never had any problems when he was younger but now he's much stronger and I'll have to fix the cave. Thank you for the help Brian and Bill, it's greatly appreciated.
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All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.

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