How to Breed Alligators

Breeding alligators can be a lucrative and exciting business if undertaken correctly. While the large reptiles will never be cute and cuddly pets, many people keep alligators out of sheer fascination for the agile amphibian. Follow these steps to legally and safely breed alligators.

Instructions

1. Obtain the correct permits. Owning and breeding alligators requires specific permits. You can apply for a permit from the US Fish & Wildlife Service so that you can legally breed alligators on your own property. Make sure you secure the permit before beginning your breeding operation.

2. Create a space for the alligators. Alligators need very specific enclosures if they are to be kept safe and healthy. You should have a securely enclosed, swamp-like pen for the gators so that the parents can thrive in their environment. If unhappy or unhealthy, the alligators will not breed.

3. Couple the parents at the right time. Alligators breed in the spring, so it's important for you to pair the parent alligators during this time. Select two healthy alligators that are at sexual maturity. Generally, alligators are at sexual maturity once they've reached around 6 feet in length.

4. Harvest the eggs for incubation. You can leave the eggs to the mother for incubation or you can harvest them to keep them in a controlled environment. Controlling the temperature of the incubation will allow you to control the sex of the hatchlings, since eggs incubating in temperatures around 80 degrees Fahrenheit will be female, while those incubated at around 90 degrees Fahrenheit will be male.