Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ok,2 parts to this..first is that i just got a gator from someone else..it is about 1 1/2-2 feet,i received him and he was a little jumpy and nippy,whats the best way to start the calming process so he can be handleable?what to do,when,how,etc.

part 2 is that i have recently put my gators outside from being inside because it is warming here and it seems like they are becoming a little more jumpy,mean,etc from when they were inside...does anyone think it could be an instinct thing,like they think they are in the wild so they act it more?they are all babys and juvys...their attitudes have just changed a bit..so something im wondering

please suggestions on both these questions.

thanks.
mike

What the gator is doing is perfectly natural. However, I am used to the opposite when switching from outside/inside. Actually my alligators are much calmer after they have been outside for some time.

If you just got the animal, give it a couple weeks to get used to you being around first. Dont immediately go into handling. Just come around and talk to him, put your hands in his enclosure and such until he gets used to you being around. After a week or two has gone by then gradually start picking him up and handling him for a little while each day. Dont overdo it because you will only add more stress to him. Over a period of time, you can start interacting with him for longer periods of time, however, once again dont overdo it.

Some gators can get downright calm and docile (still not to be trusted). Some will still have a rather nippy or defensive attitude. I have two alligators. One is relatively calm and easy to work with (until feeding time). The other is really aggressive and bites readily. It will depend on the animals past and how he was socialized before. Some, just simply dont like to be touched.

Hope this helps,

chris

thanks chris i appreciate it..ill see what happens in the next couple weeks.

mike