Quote:
Originally Posted by o-lara-o
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
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i pretty much agree with every single directive post...
Don't take this the wrong way but my first concern when asking about someones animal care strategy in general is truly meant to trigger a more proactive thought process in owners (if one doesn't already exist). So with that, please take my words as advice ( if you need it) and genuine concern for all animals under captive care and not an attack. However, the fact that you used artificial turf and minimum hides starting off is why I'm asking. We are all still learning and we all make errors no matter what Degree's, Doctorates, and Hardcore experience we have. the field of herp care like playing chess.
Questions:
1. once you master the temps for this baby monster and the little guy/gal starts feeding. What are your long term housing plans for a NILE CROC!? Statistically exotics of this caliber don't survive past 36 months, are usually re-homed after 12 months because of food bills, or given away after 24 months because housing conditions can't be met.
2. How many reps in this species category or that reach over six feet have you kept ( I assume you have some experience because acquiring such animals these days isn't as easy as it once was, or you may just know a guy that knows a guy)
3. what are the safety and legal guidelines for your area; basically IF it were to possibly escape in the future how would you track it down. I don't agree with tagging, but I prefer it over micro-chipping because of the migration of the chip over time).
Not trying to be bothersome in my questions just kinda was wondering; i use to grab crazy exotics but I deal in re-homing and adoption these days. So I can't help but inquire. My rule of thumb is once you acquire an animal that can grow large enough to snack on you the blue prints for the next enclosure should be drawn up..lol...
Respectfully,
BH
Re: Some croc advice needed please
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