We don’t use our swimming pool

so I keep wondering what to do about that. We pay to get it cleaned, and part of the year we pay to heat it, and except for the time I tripped and fell into the hot tub, we have yet to use it.

If I turned it into a giant salt water tank and stocked it with brightly colored fishes, I could go snorkeling in my own back yard. Lots of folks are converting to salt water swimming pools; I’m not sure I understand the pros and cons, but I gather the salt water pool doesn’t require much in the way of chemicals.

And then this photo-diary over at Daily Kos showed me the light.

babygator

We could have gators!

Lest ye doubt, I could purchase a hatchling from Glades Herps for $49.00. The next issue is the law: can I own an alligator in California? According to California Penal Code 653o,

Commencing January 1, 2015, it shall be unlawful to import
into this state for commercial purposes, to possess with intent to
sell, or to sell within the state, the dead body, or any part or
product thereof, of any crocodile or alligator.

Which is just fine since I don’t want a DEAD one for cryin’ out loud. I mean, half the fun of owning a gator is feeding it, and I hear the dead ones don’t eat much. Anyway, I can’t seem to find a law prohibiting the keeping of an alligator (or caiman, if I want to wimp out and buy something that will only grow to six feet, rather than the more impressive twelve to thirteen). I suppose I should check county and city laws, too, but for the sake of argument let’s entertain the notion that California law shall erect no barrier to my plans of constructing Gatorland in my backyard.

Indeed, I can only think of one thing wrong with this idea: I would probably have to pay our gardener and pool cleaner a bit more money.

What a cool idea . . . especially since alligators figure prominently in the book I’m imagining that I’m researching. This could all be blamed on counted as research!

D.

4 Comments

  1. keith says:

    A crocodile is not just for Christmas, Doug. 🙂

    It would certainly make potential burglars think twice.

    Happy New Year, by the way.

    keith

  2. Chris says:

    And you won’t have to worry about neighbourhood teens throwing unauthorized pool parties!

  3. “I would probably have to pay our gardener and pool cleaner a bit more money.”

    Particularly if, over the course of their duties, they happened to find any pieces of the previous gardener or pool cleaner.

  4. Lyvvie says:

    This will give me nightmares. I do not like crocs or gators of any kind. (Apart from the shoes and even then not the classic clog like ones which makes anyone’s feet look stupid.)