Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Alligator

About a year and half ago a alligator move into my pond. I have about a 3/4 acre pond. Called the Wildlife guys and they indicated he was too small to worry about (3ft long) and they thought he would leave. Well it has been over 1 and half yrs and the only time we do not see him is when it gets cold. He/she doesn't appear to be eating fish, maybe frogs and very small fish. He is curious like a cat, when working he comes close in the water to check us out. Any one know anything about them or if this maybe a problem? Got large mouth Bass and Breem/sun perch in the pond, along with a fairly good size snapping turtle. Thoughts anyone?

First, he's not a danger to you or another adult at that size, (provided you don't antagonize him)...could be a hazard to a very small child but I doubt it...Second, he is a hazard to small pets like cats or poodles (maybe not such a bad thing ! )Finally, the animal will consume fish and turtles, your snapper is probably not in any danger...the gator at 30-50 inches will consume frogs, fish, small turtles, snakes, small mammels...BTW, you can train them to come like a pet through the use of a noise, like a bell, assoicated with food...if you're comfortable with handling the animal you can train him to come, capture him and then release him in a secluded wildlife area...Gators are neat animals...some may disagree, but, I think you're lucky to have the opportunity right now...as he gets bigger though, you really need to consider removal...he'll eventually become a hazard and a major fish predator as he grows...I wish I lived near you, I'd come and remove/rescue for you...sorry I rambled, just love and know alot about reptiles, particularly gators and snakes...

Torchy

Yes, he does respond to hand clapping and the dry dog food we toss in the pond, competes with the blue gill for it. Have a couple of outside cats, they seem to not to be concerned with him at this time. The turtle is too big for him they seem to be buddies, sunning together on the bank. But think now is the time to move him while still small, vice waiting for him to be a problem later. I guess it is time to call the wildlife guys to move him somewheres.. He is neat to have around.

Hey NC, I,m from SW Louisiana and have been trapping and dealing with alligators all my life and professionally for 24 years. To quote Barney Fife "Nip it in the BUD, Nip it, Nip it, Nip it!" The only thing a little pest turns into is a big pest. You will lose fish to this critter and he will become less afraid of you as time goes on and will have to be dealt with eventually. Its much easier now. In the near future the only safe way to get rid of him is by shooting him. Get your local wildlife agents to move him now!

Are you sure you have a snapping turtle ?...typically that species doesn't "sun"...
http://www.cortland.edu/herp/keys/turtpix.htm
If you're not sure, here's a website that has some good pics...BTW, if you've got a softshell, they BITE !, of course you know that a snapper bites as well...both species consume fish...

Torchy

Torch what do you mean snapping turtles don't bask in the sun??

Thanks for all the info, this is really a benefit. I have been looking around for a couple years for pond and animal info, this is the best site I found. The turtle is about 12 inches across, and I caught him a week or so ago going across the yard, should have got rid of him then, seems he likes to move around the yard in the early morning, saw it the other day about 75 yards from the pond, under a tree moving the dirt like it was trying to make a nest, then about 10 minutes later headed for the pond. I need to get a better look at him and compare to the photos on that web site, thanks again..

Big Pond...what I mean't is that turtles in the family Chelydridae are almost totally aquatic, rarely coming to the surface for extended periods...there are exceptions, notably during mating season when you see them in fields and on roads...however, I don't consider that "basking", just looking for love !...Juveniles will occasionally "bask" for periods of time...and I'm sure there is the occasional adult "renegade" that defies the family habits...strangely enough it is recommened that captive speciemens be given the opportunity to bask, particulary as Juveniles...

Torchy,
I see snappers basking on rocks in the river here frequently.

Torchy wich is more aggressive? Common Snapping turtles or Aligator snapping turtles

Aggressive toward people? I don't know but the aligator snapper is more aggressive toward fish!

Rik - looks like the gator is this picture was getting a little too cozy with the turtle... Gator & Turtle

I call the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to have all alligators removed. That Dept. has never been unresponsive. Very small gators don't seem to be a problem but as they grow they begin to believe that pets and small children are food. The large ones would consider an adult to be on the menu - an adult anything. A couple years ago, while cutting weeds on my pond edge, I happened to glance up and five feet from me was a seven foot gator watching me.

Big Pond,

Don't really know which, if either, is more agressive...generally speaking they'll leave you alone if you leave them alone...if you corner or try to pick one up they'll be very defensive and I'm sure you know they can bite the @#$ out of you ! ... I've also heard stories of swimmers/waders being bitten but have never met anybody like that or witnessed the act...I have tried to catch one that was swimming in a shallow creek in Ohio, all he wanted was to get away, never tried to bite me until I actually grabbed his tail...I even stepped on his shell and all he did was struggle to get away...wouldn't suggest this action though...

Ric...you're lucky to see this behavior...I'd like to see it just for the experience...I've been collecting various reptiles for a long time and enjoy seeing different behaviors...just goes to show you sometimes the "experts" (NOT me !!) can be a little off !...thanks

NC Marine, I'd have to agree with Mr Broussard, Unless you're totally prepared to deal with a top pond predator for an extended period you probably need to have him relocated...still, it's neat to have and observe him for a short time...

Kelly, cool pic...don't know which is luckier, the gator or the turtle...BTW, I think the turtle is a Cooter, not sure though...

Torchy

Oops, the (NOT me !!) comment looks like I'm calling myself an expert...Not me is mean't to mean I'm NOT an expert...minor leaguer here !!

Cheers,

Torchy

Kelly,
I can't believe that turtle stood sill for that gator to climb on top of him!
I saved that pic in my odd pic folder.

Guys thanks for all the comments, I think in the next few weeks we will get the wildlife guys in to take care of him.. Those of some of the same thoughts I have had... Appreciate all the help.

Have a heart, those guys are buds ! I agree that you should relocate before trouble set in, but keep those two together ! They're still both small enough to catch one way or another. The turtle is NOT a snapper, just a common slider, he won't bite unless you stick your fingers in front of his face...with a Snapper, grab him by his foot long tail, or you're BIT... AND MISSING FINGERS !!! You'll never catch them at the same time...try to catch the turtle first. He'll live many days in a box with lettuce, while the alligator guys get other little guy. Have them take the two together if you can. If you can't keep them together, I hear alligator "steaks" are really good !

Well, call the local wildlife resources rep and he indicated that a alligator 4 ft long, they did not desire to move, might create a vacuum and another will just take his place. Talked with him for nearly an hour, he thought that we should just leave him alone and see if he leaves. Said that he was only eating insects, snakes, frogs and maybe small fish. My wife saw him the other day with a 6 to 7 inch bass in his mouth, having lunch. I think this maybe because the water level is a little low now, but I had to remove a bass about 7 to 8 inch that had a chunk bitten from its stomach about 3 weeks ago, so I believe he is eating them occasionally.

Bottom line, I may attempt to scare him away and take action on my own, or become a pest to the wildlife folks to move him or else.. I have noticed that snakes don't hang around, only had a couple in the past 5 years anyways. They indicate that he only grows about 4" a year, and will not be come agressive until about 7 or 8 ft, ??? we may see.. He sure likes the weedeater.. Just thought I would pass on the info from the experts... :rolleyes:

NC, What ever happend to your gator?

I thouht he had left, since no sight of him in months, but must have just been holed up for the winter, he showed up again a couple weeks ago. He and about 5 (more every yr) slider turtles seem to be taking over. I need to find some turtle traps or get me a .22 rifle for pratice (like when I was growing up, we did that in VA).

Need to find out how to move the gator out.. Any thoughts??

Is he eating all of your fish? Seems to me that he would be eating all of your fish...eatin turtles is ok with me, but fish - that is a case for meeting Mr. Lead Shot. Is there law aginst that in NC?

JUst had a talk with clients in south GA with some huge gators. They actually have little impact on the fishery and Yes I'm sure NC is like most states and you need permit to "remove" them.

I once knew a guy who stocked alligators to thin out the turtles. Then they thinned the gators.

NC,

Sounds like the concensus here is that they do not do much harm. Thats good, maybe having a pet gator hanging around is a fun thing.

: )

I'm smiling because my lake has about a 3 - 4 footer in it...maybe we will just enjoy him? her? for awhile and see what happens. I threw out some Dog Chow today...he was not even mildly interested. Maybe next time.