Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi

I've had an Alligator Snapper for about 4 years now. He has always been good around others turtles and other snappers. I have always had the urge to add an hatchling American Alligator to the mix. The Alligator Snapper is only about 4 inches shell length and has never posed a threat to anything but fish. Is that a possible combination? Or should I back off from the idea? I've heard of this working without any problems but not sure. Thanks.

Adam
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WC:
3 Southern Leopard Frogs

2 Florida Banded Water Snakes (juvies)

1 Florida Banded Water Snake (large adult)

umm if u have a snapper for 4 year and its only 4 inches u have a problem it should be alot bigger. i have common snapper that are about 2 years old and r 5 inches.
CrazyCody

yea...he sounds a little small. O and i wouldnt mix them too together. It'll probably be a diaster unless ur house is a giant tank. My common snapper is almost 3 and is 8-9" long on shell length and I think bout 7 lbs.

2 things, that is too small. It may be just that he's been in too cold water for these years and because of that, under eaten for all that time. Thats something only you would know.
Their metabolism is very much tied to water (and air ) temp.

I keep both of these animals ( In different environments)
Don't mix them. They hav completely different growth rates and more important than that, completely different life styles.
They will at some point compete for food. The snappers are very docile and will wait for the food to come to them. My gator will eat anything that comes close to him.

Also, sooner or later someone is going to get hurt. They may share environments in the wild, but they will not like being forced together in a small tank or pond. My opinion, but you're asking for trouble.

having observed both snappers and gators both in the wild, and in captivity for my whole life, i can only say that its a bad idea.
even if they cohabitate well at first, if given healthy living conditions, the alligator will undoubtedly outgrow the snapper in no time, and you will be minus a turtle.