Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone,

My gator Tyson really got me stumped with this one. I recently brought my other alligator (Evander)back home after expanding their enclosure a bit. They have been perfectly fine and no fighting incidence. Early this morning (around 3 am) Tyson woke me up with alot of splashing and thrashing. There were no signs of fighting or anything because Evander was dry as a bone under the basking spot. This happened twice last night. Once at around 3 and the other around 5. Now the other thing that puzzled me was, that I keep a stick that I use to back the two up or keeping them from striking at my hands when I reach in the enclosure. I didn't know whether he was being aggressive or what, so I gently stroked him on the right side of his face to see if I could get some reaction out of him. Suprisingly he didn't strike at the stick at all like he normally does. In fact I was able to gently move him around the water pool and he didn't seem to change position much at all. Eventually he did move to the other side of the tub and all of his movements seemed fine, so I dont think he is injured. Furthermore, I dont see what he could have been injured on if that was the case at all. Also when I put my hands in the water usually, they both come running out trying to grab my hands. Tyson didn't seem much interested. In fact he moved further away.

It was just really wierd and I really didn't know what to think of it. Could this be a possible injury? Illness?

Well I am hoping someone here might have some type of idea for me.

As usual, thank you for your help.

Okay, I'll take a shot at this riddle, but I must first ask: Has this unusually behavior been happening consistently since you rejoined Evander and Tyson (Hmmm...wonder how they got those names!)or just suddenly at some point afterwards? Are the two seperated by screen or any other partition?
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Israel Dupont
Winter Haven, FL

Ok, I have had Evander back for about a week now. This behavior to my knowledge hasn't happened before. Secondly, no they are not separated by any materials at all. They are joined together. They have been perfectly fine other than a nip or two from time to time. Nothing serious however.

Okay..Here's my take on what happened.

I could be wrong because I didn't witness all the details, but it sounds like those two guys are still adjusting to being together. They are fearful of eachother perhaps, and thus their priorties, such as eating, have altered.

As for the stick, many crocodilians, I've found in my experience, learn to identify the stick/pole when it is used, and know that it is not a body part (potential food), or an immediate threat (when it's used for non-violent, directional purposes). Therefore, they may accept it calmly.

As for the ruckus in the middle of the night, it's possible one of them moved slightly, and the other, edgy with fear or uncertainty, responded with a violent thrash (an obvious overreaction). Also, if there is an object near their enclosure that it being moved by the air from a fan, they may respond to it if it is unexpected. Another trigger could be noise outside the house (a loud passing truck) or a flashing light (from outside a window). Imagine yourself as an alligator (here we go...anthropomorphological whimsy!) and knowing the way they percieve things, think about all the things that affect the vicissitudes of their behavior.
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Israel Dupont
Winter Haven, FL

Izzy,

Yeah, that is probably what happened. I am not quite sure. Like I said, to my knowledge that is the first time it's happened. I am not sure whether or not the infrared light at night has anything to do with it? Although I have been using that particular light for some time now. I didn't think that they were fighting or anything, simply because Evander was sitting calmly under the basking spot, dry as a bone.

Oh well. One of those goofy things that I will have to monitor and try to figure out at a later time.

thanks for time!!