I have been raised in the north my whole life. Many people buy a gator because they think they make
good pets, they are cheap, and easy to get. Actually, gators are a bad animal to choose. Alligators get BIG, you are looking
at an animal that gets up to seven feet and possibly even up to fourteen feet. Although the animal may be cheap
to buy, you will need an enclosure at least thirty by thirty for a single adult. On top of the cost of the enclosure,
you will have electric, food, and water bills. Here are the animals I think are fit for keepers up
north. Still crocodilians should only be purchased by serious keepers, they are not PETS. Crocodilians should not be a hands
on animals.
Smoothfront caiman
Dwarf caiman
Spectacled caiman
Dwarf crocodile-if one can be found legally
Aslo, keep in mind that crocodilians can live thirty to eigthy years. Possibly even longer.
This means that it could be a life long commitment.
Think before you buy
Just remember to do your research before purchasing a crocodilian. The animal is the inexpensive part
in keeping a crocodilian. Most of the cost will be in your enclosures. Crocodilians need huge enclosures. The food cost would
have to be the second most expensive of your cost. Don't buy a crocodilian on an impulse buy.
Not a pet
If you are looking for a crocodilian to be a lap pet or a animal you can take for a walk that is not going
to happen. Crocodilians are a display animal. For the most part they are a hands off animals. It stresses crocodilians out
to be handled a lot.