Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Anyone ever heard an alligator cough?

We have a very runty alligator who is only 3 feet ing and yet 9 years old. She is healthy despite her stunted size, but in the past couple of weeks I've heard what sounds to me like a wheezy/whistle-like cough...I can try to get a recording of it.

To me it sounds exactly like the sound made when they tighten the lug nuts on your wheel at the auto shop...a kind of "Zhheeeew!" ...In fact, so much so that I thought the noise was coming from the shop where my husband was reorganizing the garage and not the alligator.

She does this mostly when it is dark. Maybe 3-6 times an hour. It is not the same as her chirpy baby sounds, or a growl/hiss...I've heard those. This is different.

My husband thinks she is calling for a mate or other gators. But I'm reluctant to think so because she is small, and unless she were of breeding size I can't imagine why she would wish to draw that kind of attention to herself.

I've not noticed any discharge from her nostrils. Her appetite is stellar.

I'll try and get a recording if possible.

I actually managed to catch a video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjA0-72mmLA

No, I'm not pleased she is in a tank...even if it is 8 ft long. She does have a decent little outdoor enclosure for the warmer months, though. I've been on the bandwagon of having her go to a sanctuary for some time now, but no sanctuaries will write/call me back...and honestly I think my husband is reluctant to see her go. Still. Some habitat changes need to be made. She gets adequate heat, though...her basking spot (via mercury vapor bulb) during the day reaches 90 degrees. An aquarium heater keeps the water warm.

This could be a number of things. I have not personally had that happen, although it could be a low air and water temperature, make sure both mediums are heated, with the water being slightly warmer than the air. Although if it still is young you wouldn't have a mating call, but babies call to make their mother aware, perhaps this habit was never broken, depending on how you treated the gator it could be a call for you or a friendly figure. Another and most severe of the three is a respiratory infection, an excess of mucus and flem in the throat and lungs can cause them to "sneeze" to try and get it out like they do with water when they emerge. I recommend you test these reasons. See if your company makes him stop. Or try heating up his temps, remember this is a Floridian reptile. Good luck