Exotic Pets: A Look at Alligators and Crocodiles
Alligators are the most dangerous of the exotic pets. It is a crocodilian, which comes from the family of Alligatoridae. The name was derived from Anglicization of a Spanish word, which was used by Spanish explorers who were settled in Florida, United States. Alligators are found mostly in America and China.
The alligator farming industry is seeing a rapid rise in Florida, Louisiana and Texas. The purpose of such farms is to get alligator hides and nearly forty five thousand hides are distributed annually from these farms. The hides are very expensive and a seven-foot hide costs as much as $300, but the prices vary every year. The meat of alligator also has great demand, which is approximately three hundred thousand pounds every year.
Alligators now have become very protected and regulated animals. Special processing is to be undergone to get the custody of an alligator. Usually baby alligators can be bought from Florida. Owners are given a special license and must be aware of their responsibilities. It’s against the law of many states to remove an alligator from its natural habitat. Alligator pets should be provided with large and wet habitat, similar to the subtropical, to live in.
The Crocodile
These reptiles are often underestimated, but they are very strong and fast. Lots of practice should be done before handling a crocodile. In fact, the larger the crocodile, the more the number of people required for handling it. If untrained or inexperienced team handles a crocodile, they are prone to getting serious injuries and might even die on the spot. No amount of training can tame the crocodile. Most of the owners are in delusion in this regard. A lot of hard work and many years of time would have be invested to tame a crocodile.
Crocodiles eat both vertebrates and invertebrates. For example, they eat mammals, reptiles, fishes, crustacean and mollusks. They can live up to minimum of thirty years and can even cross hundred years of age. Owners should be certainly aware of this fact and make preparations in advance because there is larger possibility that the pet outlives the owner. Crocodiles can grow from five feet to six feet and can weigh nearly three thousand pounds. At birth they measure twenty centimeters only. This is also one of the factors, which tempts owners to keep them as pet and when they begin to grow, the owner panics and starts thinking of abandoning them.
Last 5 posts by Letho Maseko
- A Look at Dogs With Bad Reputation - July 29th, 2008
- Horse Guidelines: Equine Flu and Arthritis in the Older Horses - March 29th, 2008
- The Bull Terrier: Fact about the Boston and Kerry Blue Dogs - March 12th, 2008
- Dog's: The Benefits Of Fiber And Oral Health Diet - February 19th, 2008
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.