Guidelines for Keeping Crocodiles as Pets

Background

Young crocodiles are relatively fragile, so when deciding to keep a crocodile as a pet, it is important to consider the care that crocodiles require in captivity. There are two species of crocodiles that may be kept as pets, saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) and freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus johnstoni). Both species require similar conditions in captivity.

Crocodiles are potentially very dangerous animals. For this reason, there are specific guidelines that must be adhered to when keeping a crocodile as a pet.

Construction standards are necessary for all animal enclosures to ensure that the captive animal does not escape and that it is housed in a humane manner. This is a particularly important consideration when keeping a potentially dangerous animal.

Requirements

Only crocodiles measuring less than 60cm may be kept as pets.

1. Prior to purchase, relevant approvals must be sought from the Concessions and Permits Division of the Parks and Wildlife Service in accordance with the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act. Approvals may also be required from local councils, the Northern Territory Planning Authority, and the Department of Health and Community Services. Crocodiles are protected throughout the Northern Territory and may not be removed from the wild without the appropriate licences and permits. Native wildlife (including crocodiles) may not be exported from the Territory without the relevant export permit.
2. These animals must be housed in a secure aquarium or enclosure in the same manner as other reptiles. Aquariums or enclosures must include both wet and dry areas so that the crocodile can be completely submerged or surfaced at any time.
3. It is recommended that crocodile owners complete a senior first aid certificate and keep a trauma kit on hand in case of an emergency.

Crocodiles measuring greater than 60cm

1. Crocodiles measuring greater than 60cm in length will only be permitted as pets in some rural areas, where the owner has a significant quantity of land and the threat of the crocodile to members of the public is minimal. Before making arrangements to keep larger crocodiles, interested individuals must consult the Concessions and Permits Division of the Parks and Wildlife Service to determine whether a permit for keeping a crocodile on their property can be issued.
2. Crocodile enclosures must conform to the following safety standards which provide reasonable precautions to prevent the escape of crocodiles and are the minimum standards for farm situations.
3. The perimeter of the fence must be made up of 50mm-1800mm chain mesh concreted into the ground to a depth of 300mm. Fence posts are to be set in concrete to a depth of 900mm. The top of the fence is to consist of 3 strands of barbed wire.
4. The gate into the enclosure is to be made of chain mesh (50mm-1800mm), is to be self-closing, open inwards and be fitted with a padlock. The concrete barrier at the base of the chain mesh will extend under the gate.

Guidelines for housing, feeding and handling pet crocodiles

Owners are responsible for maintaining suitable conditions for crocodiles in accordance with the Northern Territory Animal Welfare Act. Owners are expected to provide protection for crocodiles against predators, disease, pain, distress, suffering and injury. Below is a brief list of requirements that must be followed by people interested in keeping a crocodile as a pet.

Housing

The enclosure (including aquariums) must have a floor area in square metres equal to the length of the animal in metres squared and the multiplied by six. Example:

• for a 1 metre crocodile the floor area is 1² x 6 = 6 m²,
• for a 2 metre crocodile the floor area is 2² x 6 = 24 m²,
• for a 3 metre crocodile the floor area is 3² x 6 = 54 m² and
• for a 4 metre crocodile the floor area is 4² x 6 = 96 m².

Crocodiles require a pool of water that is large and deep enough to enable the crocodile to completely submerge. It is recommended that between 60-75% of the bottom of the tank or enclosure should be water.

There must be sufficient dry ground to enable the animal to exit the water completely to bask itself and turn around comfortably. The land substrate should consist of a large, flat rock, stones, or pebbles. As a general guideline, the land area should be approximately 25-40% of the total area of the tank or enclosure.

The crocodile must have exposure to sun and shade within the pool as well as on dry ground so that the animal may regulate its temperature. Shade is very important because crocodiles may burn and/or overheat. In particular, young crocodiles must have shelter. A piece of wood or plastic suspended over the land or water is ideal.

Water temperatures must be maintained at between 26°C and 29°C. At night the water heater should be left on.

Preferred air temperatures for crocodiles range between 29°C and 33°C. These conditions should be established prior to purchasing the crocodile to ensure that the conditions are suitable before introducing the animal.

Young crocodiles are very good at climbing, so precautions must be taken to prevent a crocodile from escaping by climbing up the sides of a tank. This is possible by placing blocks at the top of each corner of the tank or by placing a secure lid with adequate ventilation on the top of tank.

Water that is polluted by waste products and uneaten food will affect the health of the crocodile. It is important to provide an effluent discharge area that is able to handle all such discharge.

Feeding

Crocodiles require sufficient quantities of food and water to sustain healthy growth and vitality. Under natural conditions, crocodiles receive a varied diet which may comprise insects (beetles, moths, cockroaches, and crickets), fish, small frogs, lizards, crustaceans and small mammals. A diet comprising pieces of chicken or beef is not suitable.

Food should be chopped to a size that can be eaten easily.

Live food, such as fish and insects, may be placed in the water to encourage the crocodile to hunt.

New acquisitions may reject food after they are first introduced to their new environment. This should pass within a few days under suitable temperature and low stress conditions.

Juvenile crocodiles should be fed 1-3 times per week. The total weight of food provided should weigh approximately 5% of their own body weight.

Uneaten food should be removed within 24 hours to prevent it from decomposing.

Young crocodiles will benefit from the addition of vitamin supplements to their diets. This is less important if the animal is receiving whole prey, as this diet will ensure that the crocodile receives all the necessary vitamins and minerals.

In the wild, crocodiles eat stones to assist in digestion. They will also ingest stones in captivity if stones of sufficient sizes are available. Stones should not be offered as part of the crocodile’s diet – they will eat them if required.

Handling

Crocodiles do not like being handled. While crocodiles will get used to regular handling, owners should always be on their guard when handling a crocodile.

Avoid handling new pets – give them several weeks to settle down in captivity before attempting to hold them.

Handle juveniles gently to avoid injury to the crocodile or the people handling the crocodile.

The best way of holding a crocodile is by placing a firm grip around the neck, with a second hand under the body. Larger crocodiles may require this second hand to support the base of the tail.

An elastic band may be placed around the snout of the crocodile to ensure that it doesn’t bite while handling. In this case, close the jaws by approaching the animal from behind and then securing the elastic band. Always remove the band when you return the animal to its enclosure.

• Application for a Permit to Keep Wildlife (pdf 79Kb)

 

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