Shai Gurl
Po-Dunk Gal
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2002
- Messages
- 132
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
- Age
- 45
I am STILL looking for that perfect retirement plot for this rescued gator... I've had several responses but none that panned out... Either it sounded great but didn't go through or it sounded like some sort of crack-head kid that wanted a "pet gator" to hang out with... SO... A quick run down on this poor baby's story. "Grumpy" and other American Alligators are being sold as pets by the morons of a pet shop in Wyoming (these guys at least FINALLY got busted for selling those 'penny turtles' rather recently). Anyway, this particular gator was sold to a guy who was under the impression that they don't bite, make great tame pets, and can be kept easily in a 29g tall tank. He was feeding it goldfish with a few of the smallest crickets he could find (didn't want his poor gator to eat too big a cricket, right)... Anyhowdy, it ended up that the gator DOES bite, rather hard actually; so it was placed on consignment in a pet shop window "for sale." After quite a bit of negotiation a friend of mine got the gator and brought it into my care. "He" (the gator) weighed in at .9 pounds at approximately 15 inches long, his entire body was emaciated to a horrid degree and he was unable to move very well (cold, he had no heat source to speak of).... Anyhowdy, hes now in a large Sterilite tub, can submerge, swim, dash about, and is eating a wide range of prey items (about 2-2.5ft long now and tubby). This bugger needs a place to retire, and it isn't with me unfortunately (I love the guy/gal, but it has to go)... I do NOT have the right experience nor proper facilities to house an animal like that long term, nor would I even pretend to do so.
NOW, I do have some minimum requirements for any of you interested in adopting this gator...
~This is NOT a "pet."
~ You had better dang well know if this is a legal animal to own in your state, I WILL double check.
~ I provided all I can in food, time, vet bills, and care for this animal - And it was costly - All I ask is that you pay shipping.
~ You must be an ADULT to get this guy, 21+ and I may require proof... If your under this age please don't waste my time.
~ You MUST have facilities to keep this gator for the rest of his/her life, and I will want pics of these facilities.
~ This is an animal, not a trading card... You adopt it, you do NOT resell it or trade it to anyone that may give it anything less then the best facilities (however if you feel the need to sell/trade to a person with a larger enclosure, better breeding facilities, et cetra, I have no problem with that)... I would VERY much like pics as it ages, and to know if it goes anywhere out of 'your' care.
~ Don't be too offended if I grill you with a bunch of questions... A few of the last people to ask about the gator were either 'slow' or so under aged they didn't understand what "free animal" they were trying to get... And please, if I ask a bunch of questions try to anwer them instead of a quick half-arsed "uh, yes?"
~ This is NOT a free animal, it takes a lot of money, time, and focus to keep it going right.
~ Gender is not guaranteed for "Grumpy," and yes, he/she is very aggressive.
~*~ Previous experience with gators and/or large crocodilians is REQUIRED, so please include what you have done in the realm of this species in your letter. Those of you brave enough to be in this field of 'big crocs' have my utmost respect, and probably understand why I want to make sure this gets done as right as I can provide.
Thank you for your time;
-Sara Eyre
[email protected]