Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone!
Im Liliana.
I live in Monterrey Mexico. I own two beautiful snakes.
I wanna buy an alligator misisisissppiensis or a Crocodylus acutus. (someone is selling to me)
Ive already read the Crocodilian Captive Care FAQ, and some of the posts in this site. I know I must learn a lot more.
Please, if you guys are tired of answering these questions, I'll understand. But you can make me very happy if you help me now.

1. I want the acutus. I like it more. But I´ve read that alligator are much quiet (if we can say so of an alligator!) than an crocodyle. But I also read that the acutus is like the alligator in the "loving" aspect. Which is the true?

2. Is it true that I can release the alligator or the acutus in my living room? I saw a photo posted here. But in much forum they say that is a risky thing to do. In fact, they said that is a mortal thing to do! So, how come the pic?

3. Someone told me that my saurio will break the fishbowl in which he live when he grow up. Is that true?

4. The guy that will sell to me, say that I can give the animal mice for now.... and I can have it in a fishbowl of 20 gal for now. But... I want to know, how long and how fast it will grow? In a year, for example. And with what can I fed him? I can give it mice but certainly not DOGS.

Thanks a lot for reading. Im really interested in this, but I want to be sure that I can give the saurio a good living. And that Im not gonna die trying it!
Im joking, Im really worried because of the animal, im not afraid.

Please, excuse my writting, im trying to do my best.

Thanks again. Im waiting for your wise advises.

I wish I could come and take them both from the person you are getting it from because they obviously are being abused... you can NOT keep an alligator in a 20gallon fishtank bowl, and the fact you thought for a second you could shows you aren't qualified for this type of reptile..

You are using unnecesary verbal violence, my friend.
I feel sorry for you. People like you are the reason why people like me dont ask.
Do you really think that kind of answer will make someonelse resign the idea? Do you think that you are helping the animals that way? Being rude is not the way. Insulting people is not the way. I suppose you must know a lot about crocodyles. Try to learn a little bit about education.
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So, I take your answer like: "No, you cant have it in a 20 gal fishbowl". "You must have it in _____________" ???

Sorry if I came off rude, but when a 10ft gator is snapping at you, I don't think he is going to be sugar coating that. What do you plan on doing with an 8-12ft alligator? you always want the alligator to have atleast double his size of land, and double his size of water.... Do you have a steady, realible income for the next 50years or so? all of the lamps and heat sources needed? the tank needs cleaned preferebly everyday when they are still able to be in an aquariam. at the most 2days. This is all things you need to take into account, and if you lack the knowledge that he can't live in a 20gallon fishbowl I highly doubt you are going to have the ability to have a gator, not to mention a crocodile..

Now, thats a change, boy!
No offense taken.

Sorry, I explained myself wrong.
The guy thats gonna sell it to me told me that I can keep it in the 20 gal stuff for the first six months *its a baby right now. You are now explain why is NOT a good idea. Ok, I'll take your advice, there's no need to insult my inteligence.

And, yeah, I have a "steady, realible income for the next 50 years or so". Your not talking with a teen, boy.

And, YES, I´m aware of the costs. I definitly don´t understand why you still not gettin it: If I´m asking is because I´m interested in the good living of the animal. I know a lot of people who just go to the store and buy the animal (crocodyle, snake, fish even a dog) and has no idea of how take care of it and what will it need. Thats awful. Im trying to learn and you try to quarreling with me. Thats awful too. I dont want a medal, but you must recognize the value of doubts.

Now, I dont use to give advices. But pls, dont question the ability of someone you dont know. You can get surprise!

At last, your not giving me any answers.... and my doubts are still in the air!

Liliana,

I commend you on your love of crocodilians and your motivation for learning about them. With that said it sounds like you actually have a good idea of what their basic needs are. You are already questioning what a dealer is telling you and that's good. Both species you want grow quickly and will outgrow the 20 gallon in its first 6 to 8 months of age. I would reccomend keeping the babies in something like a 65 or 75 gallon tank in their first year and then move them into a larger pond type structure in their second year.

As for the temperment, I have only kept alligators and caimans and unfortunately no crocodiles. I can say that the alligators were generally calmer than the caimans but were by no means tame. I have handled acutus before but only as babies, when they are generally more timid. I have heard mixed things about the temperment of adult acutus. I knew one male that would attack a fense whenever someone walked by and I have seen wild females that were easier to subdue than most adult female alligators. Each case is different.

I would say an alligator is probably a better choice for a beginner but it all depends on the animal. The best advice I can give you is to Never buy a crocodilian on the assumption it will be more tame than another.Good luck and keep us updated.
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1.1 Womas, 1.0 Australian Olive Python, 1.0 Centralian Carpet Python, 1.1 Cape York Spotted Pythons, 1.0 Australian Water Python, 1.0 Albino Green Burmese, 1.1 Loxocemus bicolor (New World "Pythons" ), 1.2 Peruvian Red-Tail Boas, 2.1 Hog Island Boas, 0.1 Belem Brazilian Red- Tail Boa, 0.0.1 North American Wood Turtle, 0.0.2 European Pond Turtles, 1.0 Leucistic Alligator Snapper, 0.0.1 FL Red Belly, 0.0.1 Concentric Diamondback Terrapin, 1.1 Crested Geckos, 1.0 Yellow Ackie, 1.0 Yellow Bearded Dragon

Dewback:
Thanks for your comments. I really aprecciate them.
And I´ve already write it down: 65 or 75 gallon tank.
Be sure I will read a lot more before I buy it, it just sometimes the info seems to general for me, thats why Im in this forum.
Now, I must find out how often will it eat? The dealer said to me that it may eat a MICE once every month and I´ve read that´s not true, but I cant find a list of "Food for the alli (or the croc) in it whole life".
And its very important to me know about this. I dont want to starve the animal, and although I have a career and my job is as sure as a job can be, I need to know if I must be chasing cows in order to feed it in a couple of years.
I mean, Im thinking spending big money in my alli (or croc) but I need to know how big is that big. And cows arent cheap around here...
Thanks again.
Pls receive a hug.
Liliana.

Figure that your gator or croc will grow about a foot a year for its first three years. Feeding depends greatly on other factors such as temperature of the environment. If you keep them warm year round then plan on feeding them every day. I suggest you buy this book The Ultimate Guide to Crocodilians in Captivity. It is written by someone who frequents this forum and is the best resource on keeping crocodilians in captivity.
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1.1 Womas, 1.0 Australian Olive Python, 1.0 Centralian Carpet Python, 1.1 Cape York Spotted Pythons, 1.0 Australian Water Python, 1.0 Albino Green Burmese, 1.1 Loxocemus bicolor (New World "Pythons" ), 1.2 Peruvian Red-Tail Boas, 2.1 Hog Island Boas, 0.1 Belem Brazilian Red- Tail Boa, 0.0.1 North American Wood Turtle, 0.0.2 European Pond Turtles, 1.0 Leucistic Alligator Snapper, 0.0.1 FL Red Belly, 0.0.1 Concentric Diamondback Terrapin, 1.1 Crested Geckos, 1.0 Yellow Ackie, 1.0 Yellow Bearded Dragon

Thanks for the advice.
I´ll try to buy the book. The problem, you see, is that its very dificult to find those kind of books here in Monterrey, Mexico.
I´ve already try to find some bibliography not only ´bout alligator or crocodyles, but also for snakes.
The only books I´ve found (´bout snakes only) are more like magazines and dont give me nothing new. Imagine the croc theme.
Let me see if Amazon can send the book of Dr. Adam to me.
Have a nice day.

Hi,

I believe there is quite an enthusiast who lives in your "town".
His name is Rick, goes by 'Bigtank' and frequents the main forum.

Perhaps you can get in touch with him (or maybe you know him).

Best of luck!

Rob

>>Thanks for the advice.
>>I´ll try to buy the book. The problem, you see, is that its very dificult to find those kind of books here in Monterrey, Mexico.
>>I´ve already try to find some bibliography not only ´bout alligator or crocodyles, but also for snakes.
>>The only books I´ve found (´bout snakes only) are more like magazines and dont give me nothing new. Imagine the croc theme.
>>Let me see if Amazon can send the book of Dr. Adam to me.
>>Have a nice day.

hey Liliana, redbeard92 (Rob) is rigth.. we live in the same city...

call me... maybe I can help you

home: 83-65-9791
cel: 044-811-041-06-92