Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I maintain a ~1000 gallon exhibit of 2 4ft A. Alligators and a 30lb common snapper. The 2 gators have been in the collection for about 3 yrs, have been used extensively for outreach programs, and are (at least were) quite accustomed to people.

The gator that used to be the largest of the two has gotten into a period of having feeding issues, where he doesn’t seem to want to swallow the food even when it’s in his mouth. Seems like only small food items are swallowed quickly (like smelt), while others are just left hanging out of his mouth while sometimes-frantically swimming through the exhibit. I tried “chasing” him in the exhibit, even tugging on the food while it’s in his mouth. I now just leave him alone but it’ll still take 10-30 min to swallow.

What this seems like is obvious, but the other gator has no problem swallowing his food. The snapper used to bother the gators when they were feeding, but I keep him occupied with carrots or squash to chew on. I feed before we open so other people are not the problem. I haven’t had any problems with him until he went into this exhibit. The problem now is that I probably am not feeding him enough, while the other gator gets his share. Any suggestions?

Below is a pic from earlier this year.

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...the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without spoiling it."
Aldo Leopold (1938)

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin and Hobbes (Scientific Progress Goes 'Boink', 1991)

I think you have three main possible causes for the gator not feeding properly:

1. Perhaps the poorly feeding gator is feeling intimated by the other gator. If possible remove the gator that's doing well for a week or two and see how the poorly feeding gator does.

2. Recheck the environmental conditions within the enclosure. Make sure that you have several basking areas

3. If this is the enclosure I think it is the gator may have ingested something dropped or thrown in to it. If so, it will probably need a vet. I don't remember seeing security cameras in that area. I've seen inexpensive, fake security cameras used in similar situations. It's amazing how much better some people act when they think they're being watched.

Thanks John,
RE 1) Intimidation is what I thought as well, although it is not perceivable to me! Removing one is easy enough and that will be my first change.

2) Multiple basking areas are not an option, they actually prefer to use afternoon sun rather than the 2 250w bulbs I have for them.

3) Impaction is a real threat, and we have considered putting up a shroud to keep the lens caps, flip flops, and toys out of the water (there is an overhang to the exhibit). I should have specified that he doesn't have problems actually swallowing (he can swallow an entire pan trout); rather he acts like he doesn't WANT to swallow.
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...the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without spoiling it."
Aldo Leopold (1938)

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin and Hobbes (Scientific Progress Goes 'Boink', 1991)