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Howdy,

Quick question, our shelter has a 14 inch safe keep gator and they are feeding 4 rat hoppers every other day. Should we increase or are we at a good level? He is a very agressive feeder through out and doesnt seem satisfied hunting for hours after feeding. Was going to pick up some feeder fish this week and would aslo like a suggestion on that.

Gator was taken from a probable dog fight house and will remain in animal control for at least another 3 weeks. I have been checking in every 4 days or so with the staff and supplying food, but he really doesnt seem satified with what he is eatting. He is fairly agressive however and doesnt show the normal fear response to humans that I have seen in smaller gators like him.
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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

Hi Cindy,

I usually feed them everything they will eat when they are that small - about 5% body weight per week. I think the amount you are feeding it is adequate to maintain health, but then I'm not sure what the rat pinky is weighing in at.

Go the the bait store and get minnows, just don't feed it a lot of goldfish or other members of the carp family (a few will not hurt it).

Bill

>>Hi Cindy,
>>
>>I usually feed them everything they will eat when they are that small - about 5% body weight per week. I think the amount you are feeding it is adequate to maintain health, but then I'm not sure what the rat pinky is weighing in at.
>>
>>Go the the bait store and get minnows, just don't feed it a lot of goldfish or other members of the carp family (a few will not hurt it).
>>
>>Bill

Thanks bill. Actually not having a gram scale, I cant tell ya the weight on the pinks as well. Will head to bait store and pick up some minnows. Cant wait until we get this court case done and can transfer this little turd somewhere else. It has to go to trial because the guy is mad they took his fight scarred pits (DUH!) and refuses to sign custody over on gator.
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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

As for exact weight, don't sweat it.

As for the minnows from the bait store, you probably already know this but they are very cold at the store so you'll have to let them slowly acclimate to the temp in the gator tank or they will quickly die of thermal shock. Same with neutralizing the water chemistry.

Bill

>>As for exact weight, don't sweat it.
>>
>>As for the minnows from the bait store, you probably already know this but they are very cold at the store so you'll have to let them slowly acclimate to the temp in the gator tank or they will quickly die of thermal shock. Same with neutralizing the water chemistry.
>>
>>Bill

Yeah kinda figured it would be the same. Also temps here (as by you) are darned cold. He eats like a feind and when I was at AC today we got word that he may be willing to sign it over. So looks like I will have a gator in my bathtub for a few days again.
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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!