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.

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