Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Seeking advice from passionate crocodilion and reptile owners;
I myself have my own pride and joy;a 3 1/2' gator that i provide a large enclosure, proper nutrition,etc. But recently i visited a well known reptile breeding facility,(that i'll keep anonymous for the time being)they own a 5' gator that they've kept outside all summer long,and it's still there.. in my area the nights temperature can drop down to the 50s and days sometimes only reach 60s!on my latest visit i was very dissapointed at the sight of the gator outside still. and earlier in the year i saw one of the staff feeding it PIZZA! THIS IS NOT ADEQUATE FOR A GATOR!! just wondering what to do.any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Well,

Understanding that you are very passionate about this animal and you would like to do something about this, unfortunately, there really isn't anything you can do. You can try contacting the owner of this anonymous pet store/breeder and talk to him about the captive ownership of crocodilians, but most likely if he is like alot of the ones I know....he/she won't care. You can offer to purchase the gator and house it yourself to provide it proper care, but you are only saving this one....not their next victim. Unfortunately, it boils down to letting them find out what they are doing wrong when the animal dies for "some unknown reason". I would at least try to contact them and let them know that what they are doing with this animal isn't good for it, but most likely they think that because they own a reptile shop or breeding facility that they are "reptile gods" and "know what they are doing!".

That's about as much advice as I can give you. Good luck and I hope you are able to get some sense into them.

Best Wishes,

Chris
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Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

isn't this situation similiar to when someone leaves a dog in the car with the windows rolled up, in the middle of summer?
some would call that cruelty!and that person could be brought up on charges.
I don't want to sound like i'm out to get anyone,but does it have to be a dog, or cat for the authorities to be involved? I'm just sick of reptiles not getting the same respect of other animals.Maybe if the authorities got involved more often, than people would start taking proper care of these animals,or just not get themselves into something they can't handle.does anyone agree? This isn't your average pet store,ther're well known, and respected,that's what bothers me the most,they just don't care!

Unfortunately, that is just the way it works. The only way these people will jump into action to save a reptile is if they have a news crew stuck to their asses in the process to make them look good.
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Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

To view this in perspective, we must consider only the facts and that this observation was a "snap-shot observation" and may not be indicative of the long term or day-to-day care of this animal.

>they own a 5' gator that they've kept outside all summer long,and it's still there.. in my area the nights temperature can drop down to the 50s and days sometimes only reach 60s!

The temperatures given are acceptable and occur within the natural range of alligators. In my area, adult and larger subadult gators are kept outside until the nighttime temps drop down in to the 40s. On a bright sunny, 60°F day a dark colored crocodilian can absorb enough solar energy to reach acceptable body temperatures.

>and earlier in the year i saw one of the staff feeding it PIZZA! THIS IS NOT ADEQUATE FOR A GATOR!!

A treat of a slice of pizza isn't going to harm the gator. Again this was a single observation and probably doesn't represent the long-term or day-to-day care of the animal.

John,

I didn't think that the stomach's of crocs could handle some of the ingredients and such of pepperoni or the sauces that they use? I thought that could actually do some damage internally. I already certainly know that they shouldnt have diet comprised of that, but I didn't even think it would be good even as a treat. Just seems like an odd item to feed.

It's cool to learn this though! (Not that I am going to adopt that practice) It's really neat to learn more and more about the complexities of these animals biological structure and abilities.

Thanks for the info!

Chris
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Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

I guess we all have our own methods of husbandry,as for me i prefer optimum environment and nutrition.but seriously, wether or not a gator can handle pizza, is it really an ADEQUATE SNACK!last time i checked gators were carnivores, not omnivores!

None of the following information is based on scientific evidence and is purely my opinion, based on my experience.

A slice of pizza is probably not a "good" as in "nutritionally sound" treat for an alligator. It's probably more like a good tasting treat like cotton-candy is to us. Not at all acceptable to eat all the time, but minimal consumption, once in a blue moon probrbly won't hurt.