Some croc advice needed please

o-lara-o · 09-29-13, 12:08 AM

Hey guys,
I have recently bought a saltwater crocodile juvenile approximately 18 months old and am struggling to get him to eat anything at all. Was just wondering if anyone has any tips for me. Croc keepers here in Australia are pretty few and far between and no one has any advice for me. Even the farm I bought him from isn't of any help to me either which is disappointing.

So far I have tried mice, chopped up whole baby chicken, shrimp, crayfish and chicken necks (Which is what the farm told me he was eating). I've offered to him on tongs as well as leaving food out for him overnight.

We've tried to reduce stress as much as possible. He is in an above ground heated pond with a large land area with basking light. We have only handled him a couple of times to clean out his pond and are trying to minimalise any visual or physical contact with him until he starts eating for us. He had a powerhead pump in the pond to assist the canister filter however we felt that the vibrations it caused may have been causing him added stress and have had that pump turned off for just under a week now.

Does anyone have any tips they could share from experience?
Thanks in advance

infernalis · 09-29-13, 04:45 AM

We have a member here who could probably help.

sSNAKESs : Reptile Forum - View Profile: crocdoc

crocdoc · 09-30-13, 01:45 AM

My two immediate questions would be:

1. How long have you had the croc for?

and

2. Can you show any photographs of the setup, please.

o-lara-o · 09-30-13, 02:26 AM

We have had the croc for 13 days now

o-lara-o · 09-30-13, 02:44 AM

A bit of other info as well:
Temp checks: Land area has gradient of heat between 26 to 34 degrees celcius (78.8 - 93.2 fahrenheit) with a basking site of 38 - 40 degrees celcius (100 - 104 far). Basking lights on from 7am until 10pm
Water temperature varies depending on time of day between 28 to 30 celcius (82.4 to 86 far)
Two water analysis:
14/9/13 (before introducing croc)
pH: 7.2
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0ppm
Nitrite: 00ppm

21/9/13 (5 days of being in enclosure)
pH: 7.6
Ammonia: 8.0 (after taking out chicken necks that have been in pond overnight - total water change after this)
Nitrite: 0.25ppm
Nitrate: 0ppm

I questioned whether he was brumated during winter however he defecated on second day after introduction which indicated that he had eaten recently.

crocdoc · 09-30-13, 02:48 AM

For starters, I think the enclosure is too bare and open - the croc's only choice of cover is to hide under water, but there's nothing for it to hide under there.

Two weeks isn't a long time for a croc to refuse food after a move, especially if it's 18 months old, but I think the wide open enclosure and brightness wouldn't help its stress levels much. Small crocs are pretty shy - at that size they're tricky to find in the wild because they're hiding.

I presume you've tried feeding it at night, when the light is out?

o-lara-o · 09-30-13, 02:52 AM

That does make sense regarding the open-ness of the enclosure. He may not be able to raise his body temp above 30 (the water temp) while he hides in the water will he.

We have offered him food mostly at night, however just "to try it" we have also offered morning and mid day as well.

o-lara-o · 09-30-13, 03:17 AM

I just whipped up a bit of a hide for him with some off cuts of wood. It won't be permanent but will at least give him something to hide under for the immediate term. He should be able to fit his whole body under there. The opening to the hide is right at the waters edge, with the other opening on the side of the land area. Hopefully this will allow him to come out of the water feeling a bit more covered.

o-lara-o · 10-07-13, 07:58 PM

Just a follow up... the croc had his first decent meal last night and has a full tummy today. It's all uphill from here. Thanks all for the advice

**Aaron_S** · 10-07-13, 09:55 PM

I'd only recommend to get rid of that carpet. It's quite unsanitary as substrates go.

All the best with the saltie.

Hotchkiss · 10-07-13, 10:48 PM

Can we get some pics of the actual croc?

o-lara-o · 10-08-13, 03:23 AM

Thanks Aaron. Here's some pics Hotchkiss. First pic was the day we got him. Second pic was today

Hotchkiss · 10-09-13, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o-lara-o

Thanks Aaron. Here's some pics Hotchkiss. First pic was the day we got him. Second pic was today

Awesome looking animal, sure you got the room?

Mikoh4792 · 10-08-13, 03:46 AM

What sized enclosure are you going to house him in when he becomes adult size? I've always wondered how much space you need for crocs.

**Aaron_S** · 10-08-13, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

What sized enclosure are you going to house him in when he becomes adult size? I've always wondered how much space you need for crocs.

It's a saltie. However much room HE/SHE wants lol.