Gators (and the like) as pets

[Driller64]

Has anyone here ever kept crocodilicans as pets? What are their temperments like, and what are they usually housed in? I obviously can't get one now cause of many reasons, a few being my dog, the cost, how my parents would react, how I would not vomit at feeding time etc... But I would just like to know in case I do get that deep into this whole exotic pet trade.

P.S. Don't say they can't be sold, I have seen crocodilians for sale at multiple exotic pet stores.

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[Enn49]

I met a guy once who had 4, they had a bedroom each lol. He and a friend were opening a reserve in Africa, I think, and he was planning on taking them out there.

 

[Smokehound714]

it depends on where you live. Some states outlaw keeping crocodillians, venomous animals, or anything else considered 'dangerous'.

If you have the resources (and money, these things will bankrupt you), they're simple to care for. Despite their fearsome reputation, crocodilians can actually be friendly.. I remember a guy on kingsnake.com that had a nile croc that loved to be held like a baby being burped. You dont have to give them live prey lol.. they're content eating raw beef and fish, chicken, etc.

 

[Bigboy]

Gators tend to be sluggish and trainable but untrustworthy. Caimans tend to be snappy and trainable but untrustworthy. Crocodiles tend to be hostile and trainable but untrustworthy. That's all I've had experience with.

Don't buy them is the best advice I can give you. Enjoy them in the wild, feel bad for them at zoos, but don't screw yourself over with something that will outlive you and take a significant portion of your home/backyard/paycheck. I'm not trying to be a downer, nor do I think you will accept my answer but you asked for advice from keepers and now you have one from a former keeper and professional herpetologist so there you go.

 

[Driller64]

Uh yeah, I don't know if I have the commitment level for a crocodilian, or even will. I was planning to get only a small caiman, but you said they'll bankrupt you and I might get bit by it and ah! However it is good to know you don't have to feed them live prey, when I said I might vomit at the sight of having to watch it kill a live guinea pig or something I wasn't joking lol.

 

[Formerphobe]

http://www.bornfreeusa.org/b4a2_exotic_animals_state.php?s=nj

 

[Smokehound714]

Uh yeah, I don't know if I have the commitment level for a crocodilian, or even will. I was planning to get only a small caiman, but you said they'll bankrupt you and I might get bit by it and ah! However it is good to know you don't have to feed them live prey, when I said I might vomit at the sight of having to watch it kill a live guinea pig or something I wasn't joking lol.

Keep in mind that small caimans still exceed 6 feet. That's still a big animal haha. Caimans are also MEAN, even towards their own kind.

 

[Tongue Flicker]

I have a friend who owns a freaking 11 hectares of land including part of a barricaded river with 6 adult saltwater crocs. He feeds them pigs and deer. He is really, omg, something. I can't see the beauty of them being pets but i do appreciate the population control of grazing animals that they do in the wild

 

[The Snark]

Just an observation. If you keep any animal as a 'pet' you are responsible for that animal's welfare. Morally, for the rest of the animals life. It is not a recreational object. It is not a show piece. It's life is in your hands, and it's contentment and well being, physically and mentally. In the case of crocodiles, this means a commitment of 50 to 100 years. In addition, tens, or more likely, hundreds of thousands of dollars in feeding, vet bills, insurance, containment upkeep and some form of endowment trust to assure the animals welfare should it outlive you.

As far as owning a prehistoric monster goes, slide on over to youtube and dial in Graham's Revenge. It's got a lot of behind the scenes stuff where SI wasn't 'staging' things. Basic info on keeping these animals. While these are the big monsters, the bite from a 12 incher will send you to the ER. If you are determined to keep one of these, watch that video to the end. If you can't be bothered and still want to own one, you have no business keeping any dangerous animal.

Does the term 'get real' ring any bells?

PS On a different note, seeing those two crocs get into a fight, that sideways head bashing, is exactly how Akitas fight.

 

[Najakeeper]

I have kept a caiman croc. He was the sweetest animal ever, got puppy tame in time, would get along perfectly fine with my dog and would even "watch" TV with me. Crocodillians are very smart animals and they can adapt pretty well, which shows why they have literally been around for ages and ages.

I had to re-home mine when I left the States to a zoo in a WA state island. Didn't ask for money, just guaranteed welfare.

Large alligators are a different game. You can keep a caiman pretty much indoors with a decent sized pool and filtration. Large alligators will need outside enclosure. Also the consequences of getting into a "disagreement" with one will be so much different. But people do successfully keep and breed them in places like Florida where you can have a large outdoor enclosure. They just deserve the fullest respect and caution from the keeper.

 

[The Snark]

Najakeeper, if you had the resources and room, which would you prefer to keep, venomous snakes or crocodilians?

 

[Najakeeper]

Najakeeper, if you had the resources and room, which would you prefer to keep, venomous snakes or crocodilians?

Tough one really, as far as the animals go, I like them both but I hate dealing with water and water related work so I would stick with the snakes. However there is an even better option, large varanids. Both venomous and crocodile like . I foresee that I will end up with a few pairs of Varanus salvator when I have the resources, room and permits.

 

[HungryGhost]

Just an observation. If you keep any animal as a 'pet' you are responsible for that animal's welfare. Morally, for the rest of the animals life. It is not a recreational object. It is not a show piece. It's life is in your hands, and it's contentment and well being, physically and mentally. In the case of crocodiles, this means a commitment of 50 to 100 years. In addition, tens, or more likely, hundreds of thousands of dollars in feeding, vet bills, insurance, containment upkeep and some form of endowment trust to assure the animals welfare should it outlive you.

As far as owning a prehistoric monster goes, slide on over to youtube and dial in Graham's Revenge. It's got a lot of behind the scenes stuff where SI wasn't 'staging' things. Basic info on keeping these animals. While these are the big monsters, the bite from a 12 incher will send you to the ER. If you are determined to keep one of these, watch that video to the end. If you can't be bothered and still want to own one, you have no business keeping any dangerous animal.

Does the term 'get real' ring any bells?

PS On a different note, seeing those two crocs get into a fight, that sideways head bashing, is exactly how Akitas fight.

+100

Most people don't take into consideration the true level of commitment required for such a "pet".

 

[freedumbdclxvi]

Tough one really, as far as the animals go, I like them both but I hate dealing with water and water related work so I would stick with the snakes. However there is an even better option, large varanids. Both venomous and crocodile like . I foresee that I will end up with a few pairs of Varanus salvator when I have the resources, room and permits.

Not to hijack, but I thought V salvator also required large soaking areas. Not to the extent of crocodilians, but moreso than other Varanids.

 

[Najakeeper]

Not to hijack, but I thought V salvator also required large soaking areas. Not to the extent of crocodilians, but moreso than other Varanids.

Nah, they like the water but they don't need it to survive like the crocodillians. Large water dish, which can be easily dumped and refilled is fine.