Some croc advice needed please - Page 2

BH Varanus · 10-09-13, 01:28 PM

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

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

o-lara-o · 10-10-13, 04:08 AM

Thanks for the interest guys and I know that you are only looking for the animals best interests but I'm a little unsure on what to reply. On one hand I want to answer your questions and accept your criticism of my enclosure and on the other hand I want to express that I shouldn't have to justify my experience and decisions.
I am a wildlife educator - I teach members of the public about awareness and conservation of wildlife, specifically reptiles. I have more than 10 years of experience keeping, breeding captive reptiles including geckos, skinks, dragons, monitors, small and large pythons, turtles and frogs. I have also documented and photographed reptiles in every habitat in Australia from deserts, rock outcrops to dense rainforest.
I also rescue and rehabilitate unwanted, sick and injured reptiles for rehoming...

The crocodile that I have is a new animal that I have acquired as the crocodilian representative to my reptile shows. He must be of a size that is easily handled so that adults and children are able to view him up close, touch it and learn from him. When he grows to a certain size, he is no longer of appropriate size and I return him to the crocodile park and I will get a new one.
The queston: Would I have bought the crocodile if I couldn't return it when it grows? My answer is no.

As far as astroturf goes, it is an enclosure base that I have successfully using for a lot of reptiles and in relation to the hygiene aspect - has anyone heard of disinfectant? I may be new to keeping crocodiles but I am applying what knowledge and experience I have to give the best care to this animal as I can. If I find the astroturf to be unsuitable, I will change it simple as that.

As far as health and safety for the croc, and the possibility of escape: My business has what we call 'Standard Operating Procedures' in place. This details the plan of action and the preventative measures that are in place to avoid such incidents.

Now to answer another question - why did I not put hiding in the enclosure? In all honesty, because I didn't know the importance of it in young crocs. Which probably sounds silly and inexperienced to you reading this doesn't it? Well I have been under guidance from a few other croc keepers who do the exact same thing as I do, and keep their crocs with no hides whatsoever with no stress problems. And believe it or not, they couldn't give me an answer as to why he wasn't eating either.
So my lesson is: Crocs need the security of a hide as much as any other reptile.

Ok, now that I have justified my actions to some people halfway across the world that I don't know and have never met I wonder why I bothered and am tempted to ask them to justify why I should have to answer to them...

I am very grateful to CrocDoc however, who gave me the little tip that I needed no matter how simple it was. That was all I was asking for and not the interrogation.

BH Varanus · 10-11-13, 10:09 AM

It's not about justification its just concern ; please don't take it as a challenge but as you know that's what comes with posting on any forum..you'll get what you need and some extra. Without a doubt there will be a time when i get questioned on this forum as well and that's what comes with the territory.. honestly, thus far this forum seems more mature than most and that's why I engaged with the question. I don't know everything nor do i claim to. They were valid questions anyone that has dealt with red level herps might ask.

So trust me when I say my questions are basic and general and not intended to demand justification. A salt water croc as you know is not a toy and honestly is arguably one of the more challenging exotics. it is what it is, but after reading your response I'm glad you were receptive to crocdoc and that you responded to my questions it speak volumes about the good intentions and abilities as a owner that you have. hopefully you keep us all updated on its growthin the future

Regards,
BH

noidster · 10-12-13, 08:03 PM

Failure imminent

MDT · 10-12-13, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noidster

Failure imminent

Least helpful post in this thread.

o-lara-o · 10-13-13, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BH Varanus

It's not about justification its just concern ; please don't take it as a challenge but as you know that's what comes with posting on any forum..you'll get what you need and some extra. Without a doubt there will be a time when i get questioned on this forum as well and that's what comes with the territory.. honestly, thus far this forum seems more mature than most and that's why I engaged with the question. I don't know everything nor do i claim to. They were valid questions anyone that has dealt with red level herps might ask.

So trust me when I say my questions are basic and general and not intended to demand justification. A salt water croc as you know is not a toy and honestly is arguably one of the more challenging exotics. it is what it is, but after reading your response I'm glad you were receptive to crocdoc and that you responded to my questions it speak volumes about the good intentions and abilities as a owner that you have. hopefully you keep us all updated on its growthin the future

Regards,
BH

Thanks, I know it is to be expected from a forum. I had a few years break from forums and this is the exact reason why (we've all been there). Forgive me for taking it as a direct jab. At the end of the day I have a new baby who's just settling in and as with all reptiles we needed to find the reason why and fix it. Croc is eating well now, lessons were learnt and no harm done.
I'll certainly keep you updated on his progress.