# Throw You Children To The Alligators! For Their Birthday! Newslink **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 3, 2012, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632 "2012-10-03T23:15:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632/21 "2012-10-04T15:55:41Z")
I don’t think that teaching young children to play with baby alligators is a good thing to do, for if a child were to come upon one in the wild . . . ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632/22 "2012-10-04T15:59:10Z")
I don’t think that children are as dumb as you think. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632/23 "2012-10-04T16:01:55Z")
Wouldn’t the chlorine in the swimming pool be a problem for the alligator? I mean, I know they crawl in there sometimes on their own, but it can’t be good for them. . . and don’t a lot of people in Florida add salt to thier pools as well? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632/24 "2012-10-04T16:05:22Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Swim **with** them. Goes beyond my definition for “typo”, which is a substituted letter, or missing letter. They dropped an entire word. I still suspect a Britishism. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632/25 "2012-10-04T16:15:07Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > That actually looks pretty cool. I’d totally throw a party like that. > > And it looks very, very different than some of the posts here are painting it as. They have one of those in the Boston area too or at least they did a few years ago. I forget what it is called (‘Creature’ something maybe?) but it is a van that is filled with snakes and other creepy crawlies including an alligator. A man comes to your house dressed as a safari guide and takes them out and lets everyone see and play with them. You bet your ass I got it for one of my oldest daughter’s birthday parties. It was great and the kids (and parents) loved it. It didn’t seem odd to me. Then again, I had a pet alligator when I was young. I miss Alexander. ---
**Author:** ![TheChileanBlob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thechileanblob/32/435_2.png) [@TheChileanBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheChileanBlob)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632/26 "2012-10-04T16:15:10Z")
On a side note, the alligator guy kinda looks like Robert Troll from Mr Rogers. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632/27 "2012-10-04T16:23:32Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > They have one of those in the Boston area too or at least they did a few years ago. I forget what it is called (‘Creature’ something maybe?) but it is a van that is filled with snakes and other creepy crawlies including an alligator. A man comes to your house dressed as a safari guide and takes them out and lets everyone see and play with them. You bet your ass I got it for one of my oldest daughter’s birthday parties. It was great and the kids (and parents) loved it. > > It didn’t seem odd to me. Then again, I had a pet alligator when I was young. I miss Alexander. I’ve been to tw partioes where this guy was present (I refer to it above). But he doesn’t bring alligators with their jaws taped together to swim in your pool – he brings the aforementioned Bearded Dragons, Tarantulas (which he lets walk on the kids’ hands) and other such stuff. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632/28 "2012-10-04T16:24:47Z")
Here’s a more recent and better [article](http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/wildlife/florida-wildlife-officials-rule-that--kids-gator-pool-parties-are-unsafe/1254582). The gators were 4 ft. long max, and were not free swimming with the kids in the pool - the company claimed the handler had it under control at all times. There’s a picture as well, and the gator looks pretty small - 4 ft including tail probably means the head + body is only about 2 1/2 ft. long. Oh and those crazy Brits meant $175 per party. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632/29 "2012-10-04T16:36:13Z")
The only flaw I see in this plan is that the alligator’s mouth is taped shut. I abhore the wussification of modern entertainment. I sorta swam with a gator in the wild once. It was pretty cool. I told the SO I could “take it” but being the party pooper she is no wraslin was allowed ☹ ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632/30 "2012-10-04T17:39:18Z")
Then I don’t understand why they’re drawing the line at alligators. Why not tape water moccassins and coral snakes mouths shut and throw them in the pool too? No trifecta is too good for my little Billy! ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632/31 "2012-10-04T18:01:07Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I don’t think that children are as dumb as you think. Some are dumber. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632/32 "2012-10-04T18:02:21Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > Then I don’t understand why they’re drawing the line at alligators. Why not tape water moccassins and coral snakes mouths shut and throw them in the pool too? Just make sure your COBRA benefits are paid up first! ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632/33 "2012-10-04T18:28:57Z")
Look, when I see an animal with that many teeth and that much power, my reaction is _not_ going to be, “Let’s let the kids play with it”! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632/34 "2012-10-04T18:40:39Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > Just make sure your COBRA benefits are paid up first! _fires torpedo at **Sailboat** _ ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632/35 "2012-10-04T18:45:07Z")
It doesn’t seem to be dangerous or stupid at all. Actually, it seems kind of cool. All I see are busy bodies and animal rights activists getting their panties in a wad over something that is harmless. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632/36 "2012-10-04T18:51:13Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > That actually looks pretty cool. I’d totally throw a party like that. > > And it looks very, very different than some of the posts here are painting it as. I was a bit dubious just reading the article in the OP, but watching the video…yawn. No big deal at all. Kind of cool, actually. The handler is in the pool, the kids are kept under control. It’s exactly like those concrete circles they sit kids in at the zoo while they pass around the exotics and talk to the kids about habitats and conservation, only you get to see the neat way alligators swim, too. The only way I could see someone having a real problem with this is if you’re opposed to zoos, petting zoos and similar attractions out of principle. That’s not me. I’d do it for my kids, if I had a pool and lived in Florida. It’s educational-like. And, y’know, how cool would it be to go to school on Monday and brag that you swam with an alligator at your birthday party? ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632/37 "2012-10-04T19:19:20Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > Look, when I see an animal with that many teeth and that much power, my reaction is _not_ going to be, “Let’s let the kids play with it”! It would depend on the kid. For some kids, it would be best to remove the tape from the alligator’s mouth and use it to tape the kid’s mouth when tossing them both in the pool together. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632/38 "2012-10-04T19:21:54Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > It would depend on the kid. For some kids, it would be best to remove the tape from the alligator’s mouth and use it to tape the kid’s mouth when tossing them both in the pool together. I don’t get this post. Surely by mouth, you meant wrists? ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632/39 "2012-10-04T19:35:06Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Swim **with** them. Maybe you swim an alligator like you walk a dog. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632/40 "2012-10-04T19:47:06Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > Maybe you swim an alligator like you walk a dog. Good point! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throw-you-children-to-the-alligators-for-their-birthday-newslink/636632.md?page=3)