Crocodiles as a Resource for the Tropics (1983) / Chapter Skim
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Appendix B: Practical Crocodile Farming
Appendix B: Practical Crocodile Farming
Pages 34-42
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From page 34... ...
Farm Location Reliable supplies of good water and suitable food are the most important considerations for establishment of a crocodile farm; the area selected must have both. Village farms also need to be close enough to wild crocodile populations for the animals to be obtained easily.
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From page 35... ...
With rounded corners, the pile cannot grow very high before the crocodiles slide sideways and the heap collapses. Experiments in South Africa indicate that natural pools containing rooted vegetation are less prone to become sources of disease than are concrete pools.
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From page 36... ...
The entire pond and surrounding apron must be smoothly plastered to facilitate cleaning. It helps to have a water source close to each pool from which a hose pipe can be led to pressure spray and clean the pool and its apron.
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From page 37... ...
Earthen pools are easy and cheap to build and are a "natural" habitat where vegetation can be planted and small live fish introduced; insects, frogs, and other creatures attracted to the dams will be an important addition to the diet and health of the crocodiles. Earthen pools are ideal in climates where low winter temperatures are likely to cause respiratory illness in the young animals.
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From page 38... ...
Nutrition and Feeding Despite the crocodilian's reputation as a man-eater, small wild crocodiles live mainly on invertebrates and larger ones live mainly on fish. Papua New Guinea's farmers feed a varied diet of locally caught fish, crab, shrimp, frogs, snails, grasshoppers, beetles, and slaughterhouse waste.
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From page 39... ...
To ensure the health of the growing animals, constantly flowing water is far superior to standing water. (The Samutprakan Crocodile Farm in Thailand feeds some of its animals in water, but the small feeding pools are separate from the large regular breeding pools and at a lower level to prevent their overflowing into the breeding pools.)
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From page 40... ...
Population Density Twenty-five crocodiles are considered the maximum manageable number per unit; staying within this limit reduces competition for food, bullying and fighting, and the number of injuries. A low stocking rate also results in a more even average growth rate.
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From page 41... ...
The various specimens must be carefully labeled, frozen as quickly as possible, and packed on ice in a vacuum flask for immediate dispatch to the nearest veterinary research institute or pathologist. Alternatively, dying animals may be sent live for research purposes.
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From page 42... ...
If the decay is intense, the salted hides may become reddish or brown in color. This is called "red heat." Although salt remains the universally used preservative for raw hides, the reptile leather industry has developed chemical fixatives that are used in addition to salt for preserving hides for tanning.
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