Ever wonder what it’s like to feed a hungry gator? Here’s a sneak-peak at what I see every time we feed Soni our 6 foot alligator.

Soni eats 2-3 times a week depending on the time of year, his mood, and of course his appetite! Variety is the key when feeding these animals. If you think about it, would you like to eat the same thing every week?

We feed him chicken, tilapia (fish), rats, beef, and occasionally crustaceans. Just like us, Soni doesn’t like everything he’s offered. Items he has never really taken to include cockroaches and baby chicks.

He’s even trained by the sound of a clap! On feeding day all I have to do to get him out of his pool is by simply clapping my hands together once. Claps, clickers, and various sounds are all used as feeding techniques for safety and animal enrichment.
For more information about alligators please visit www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-crocodile.html