Should I get a pet alligator?

Question

I live in florida, and I know a guy thats selling baby alligators right now. Anyway, long story short, I can buy one from him for only $150. Should I buy one or not? Anyone with an alligator suggest it or regret it? Thanks, dinky.

Answer 1

I don't suggest getting one because they belong in the wild and where would you put when it gets full-sized??

Answer 2

do not do it.  it could be illegal also.  alligators belong in the wild.  what are you going to do once it gets too large and viscious?  dont even think about it.  WASTE OF MONEY.

Answer 3

If it's legal in your state? Wait! Why do you want one again?

Answer 4

ERRRR  NO   they grow massive and I'm not sure about Florida but in England its against the law!

To be precise the can grow 17 feet 5 inch,  that was the record

ask yourself have you got the room and the money?

maybe you could get a lizard

best wishes Ellie xx xx

Answer 5

no...do not do it...you are harming the poor little thing

and tell that to the man selling them to

because when it get to be 6ft long ...you are not going to want it and its not going to be able to be in the wild because you took it in as a pet and it will DIE

Answer 6

First, do you have the proper licenses to own an alligator? Does the person you are thinking of buying from have the proper licenses to sell alligators? (you can contact the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission to do your own homework on this)

Now, down to the nitty gritty: WHY do you want to own an alligator? Just because "it would be cool?", well I'll tell you now, it is. BUT then again, it's not. They don't "tame down" like an iguana does... well, they seem to, but when you start thinking "Oh, he's my 'pet', he won't bite me..." that's when you get bit, and you WILL get bit. (Trust me.)

We're talking about an animal that will live as long as you and end up being at least twice as big as you. A four footer can ruin your hand, at about five and a half or six feet they hit sexual maturity... alligator puberty... complete with mondo appetite and surlyness (think any typical teenager... just add about 80 teeth and 1000 lbs or so per square inch of bite pressure). You need something big enough for it to move around freely without being able to get out and wreak havoc. (got a big enough fenced in yard?)

"Oh, well I'll just keep him until he's a certain size." Oh yeah? Then what? You CANNOT let it go. 95% of alligator attacks in Florida are linked to feeding... even wild alligators realize after a few feedings that those two legged things give out easy meals... an alligator that's been in captivity for however long would come running right up to someone hissing and growling and snapping it's jaws... basically just asking to be called in as a nuisance and "harvested" by your local nuisance alligator trapper or just flat out killed by a self sufficient local.

"Oh, well then I'll give it to a zoo." Zoos have enough alligators and don't need any more and probably won't take anymore... which leaves ONE option... take it to a gator farm... oh, nice, gator farm... wait. Gator farms are just like any other farm... most of their stock is used to support the demand for alligator leather and meat... do you have the heart for this? Oh, you might get lucky and find a farm that will put it in their breeder pond IF it's big enough to go in the breeder pond, but from there there's no promise that the other alligators won't maim and/or kill it just for being an intruder into their territory.

My family has kept our share of gators over the past 20 years or so, but only because we've been doing educational programs for schools, scouts, etc. for the past 20 years or so, and our gators are strictly for educational purposes, and I really don't suggest them as "pets" for the average individual, there's way too many intrinsic risks involved.

Answer 7

They're cute as babies, but are you sure they're even legal to own in your city?  What about when it reaches adult length?  Do you have enough property and enough money to give it proper housing and food?  Remember these guys live a LONG time and get very large... and most reptile rescues down in Florida don't even take gators anymore because there is such a problem with them down there.

Don't get one just because... Get something you can properly house for its whole life.

Answer 8

only if u feed him live cats for a base food and live goats for an occasional treat

Answer 9

$70 is the going rate for baby alligators on the pet market.

Not only is $150 too much, alligators are illegal to keep as pets in Florida without a permit because they are "native" wildlife.

I have an alligator. They're legal to own in Michigan where I live. They are very fascinating but they're not really a "pet". You have to plan ahead when owning one and be prepared for the sizable beast it will become.

Bottom line is that they're not legal in Florida without a permit and $150 is over priced, so "no" don't get it.

Answer 10

not unless u want it to eat your head off

Answer 11

yes defiantly u should  i have 1 Der great

Answer 12

Alligators are not pets.  That is not a smart thing to do.  You're welcome, and don't call me dinky.

Answer 13

isnt that illegal?

answer mine

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