# are alligators smart **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 26, 2013, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057 "2013-03-26T23:43:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2013, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057/42 "2013-03-30T17:53:54Z")
As I said, that’s the way they always do it, and it isn’t purely a fart. The excretion is always thereby propelled into propellers. Scent marking. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2013, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057/43 "2013-03-30T18:00:25Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > On the other hand, [cats don’t take much shit from alligators.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_29k6dJ6DA) > [@voltaire](#): > > More cats telling crocodilians, “Lizard, please!”: > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvy9o9uJ0jM](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvy9o9uJ0jM) > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF33e7JCLx8&feature=endscreen&NR=1](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF33e7JCLx8&feature=endscreen&NR=1) > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCoxNJWLJTo](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCoxNJWLJTo) Neither do [lions](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D78qWAUSK08&feature=youtube_gdata_player). Vid at 0:30 s. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2013, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057/44 "2013-03-30T18:11:08Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > Forget the alligator. What you need is a saltwater crocodile. Weak. A daring pet owner will adopt an African Bush Elephant. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2013, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057/45 "2013-03-30T18:11:49Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > As I said, that’s the way they always do it, and it isn’t purely a fart. The excretion is always thereby propelled into propellers. Scent marking. Nevertheless, that’s my hippo dream over. Hope you are happy, **Leo** :mad: To be honest there’s quite a lot of hippo turbo-honking videos on Youtube. A surprising amount. ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057/46 "2013-03-31T05:28:49Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > Are you prepared for [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeCOfNWjJUs&feature=youtube_gdata_player)?\* (This is the standard method, BTW.) > \*I think I have cited this vid before. In any case, I will continue to cite it whenever it seems appropriate, which could be quite quite often, come to think of it, but I will restrain myself. Thanks! I just woke up my SO with much hysterical choking/laughing! ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057/47 "2013-03-31T07:16:34Z")
Q: What the most common redneck last words? A: “Hey, ya’ll, watch this!” > [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > I’m thinking about adopting a hippopotamus, btw. Should fit in the bath, I think. I wanted one for Christmas, and even wrote and sang a song about it, but no one ever gave me one. :: Sniff :: ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057/48 "2013-03-31T10:07:21Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Q: What the most common redneck last words? > A: “Hey, ya’ll, watch this!” > > I wanted one for Christmas, and even wrote and sang a song about it, but no one ever gave me one. :: Sniff :: Speaking as a ‘native redneck’, A. is usually preceded with “Hold my beer!” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057/49 "2013-03-31T13:45:50Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Weak. A daring pet owner will adopt an African Bush Elephant. > > Stranger And how will you tell if it’s been raiding the fridge at night? Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057/50 "2013-03-31T14:43:11Z")
I’m gonna cross breed a gator with a pit bull. Then cross breed that with a honey badger. The cross breed that with a West Borro Baptist Church member (hopefully the dad but I guess one of the daughters will do in a pinch). At this point the OP is quite welcome to then purchase my gatorbullbadgerbaptist. Then I’ll work on my bonzai techniques and after a few more years the more timid members of the board can make their own safer purchases. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057/51 "2013-03-31T15:33:26Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > And how will you tell if it’s been raiding the fridge at night? > > Anyone? footprints in the peanut butter ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057/52 "2013-03-31T16:09:36Z")
I heard it butter. Makes more sense, because it’s hard for an elephant to open a peanut butter jar, but they do relly like it, of course. I like butter better, because it just refers to their clumsiness when hiding out. But yours is good too. ETA: yours actually makes more sense, since I said “raiding.” “Hiding” is te correct question for “butter.” ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057/53 "2013-03-31T16:14:54Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > As I said, that’s the way they always do it, and it isn’t purely a fart. The excretion is always thereby propelled into propellers. Scent marking. Shit hits the fan. I’m disappointed with myself for not immediately seeing that. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057/54 "2013-03-31T16:29:14Z")
WHile I think this has been adequately covered, I’m going to chip in anyway. I have worked with exotic reptiles and amphibians for years, and crocodilians are no joke to keep in terms of husbandry or training. Alligators can learn certain basic behaviours and a small “vocabulary” of words. All of these are related to natural behaviours such as feeding responses or flight from predators. They will learn their keeper’s voice and face, and can associate objects with food (like buckets). They can be taught to come on command, jump for food, go to their pond, and other simple basic tasks that make their management easier. That being said, ALL of the above take an exhaustive and very consistent amount of work to achieve. Alligators should not be trusted under any circumstances to refrain from biting their handlers. They do become very placid with regular feeding and interaction, but will bite if provoked or cranky. Not all gators will bother with a threat display of gaping and hissing first either. Additionally, many states restrict possession of crocodilians without a permit, and the fines can be significant. Crocodilians do not make good pets, and are best left to professional institutions that have both the finances and experience to deal with them adequately. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057/55 "2013-04-01T03:49:35Z")
You also forgot to ask which would win in a fight with a lion or tiger. ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057/56 "2013-04-01T05:15:47Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > You also forgot to ask which would win in a fight with a lion or tiger. The gorilla, of course. Wait… what? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057/57 "2013-04-01T06:32:26Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > You also forgot to ask which would win in a fight with a lion or tiger. Chuck Norris. Duh. ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057/58 "2013-04-01T07:01:57Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Chuck Norris. Duh. Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha! Of COURSE! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![FuzzyOgre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@FuzzyOgre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuzzyOgre)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057/59 "2013-04-01T07:26:09Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > You also forgot to ask which would win in a fight with a lion or tiger. The penguin. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2016, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057/60 "2016-03-18T00:36:56Z")
BUMP! Comes now Mary Thorn, owner of pet alligator in Florida, who is fighting with TPTB for a permit to keep her sweet, gentle, lovable pet alligator. [Florida Woman Fights to Keep Her Pet Alligator Who Wears Clothes and ‘Rides’ ATVs](https://gma.yahoo.com/florida-woman-fights-keep-her-pet-alligator-wears-170312036--abc-news-topstories.html), March 17, 2017. Short background: Apparently rescued this gator as a pup from some unhealthy captive situation. Has had a permit for many years, but gator is now over 6 feet long and newly-enacted rules require more stringent permitting conditions. Hence, the permitting battle. Just how smart, tame, docile, and domesticated can a pet alligator be? From her description, this gator thinks he’s a puppy dog. Eats at the table with her, follows her around like a puppy dog, sleeps in bed with her like a puppy dog :eek:, plays nice with dogs and children :eek: and drives an ATV (yes, article includes a photo of that); is a local “celebrity” in the neighborhood. It it were me, I’d sleep with one eye open. (And you’ve seen all those stories about whole neighborhoods getting all up in arms when someone gets a pit bull!) Is all or any of this believable or possible? Anyone want to place bets on whether a dog or child or Mary Thorn gets eaten first? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2016, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057/61 "2016-03-18T01:11:10Z")
Well, even if it is true, we have a good year to prepare for it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-alligators-smart/654057.md?page=4)