New Articles: 1 Ton Crocodile

Good article as always.
I wonder how old that croc is. Maybe 100 years?

Given that hunting of salties in Australia has been banned for more than 30 years, and their numbers are on the increase, and much of their habitat is remote, it is possible that there may be larger crocs lurking in the Australian bush. And if not, then maybe in 20 years we might see some real monsters as the specimens alive today will just keep growing.
 
Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated.

Growth rates seem to vary so much, based on diet locale and possibly genetics; hard to speculate but I like to think 100+ is possible. Some years ago I was horrified to come across an 18 year old Spectacled Caiman that fit quite comfortably in a 20 gallon aquarium, courtesy of its chop-meat based diet!

I believe Rhom Whittaker did a film awhile back, documenting his (unsuccessful?) search for a 20+ footer, maybe set in Australia? He also predicted that with protections in place, we might expect huge ones in time. Similar scenario now with American Alligators in the USA.

best, Frank
 
Yeah no problem.
I always read the blog entries and websites that you post.

I can't make heads or tails of how large a 20 gallon aquarium is, or how large an 18 year old spectacled caiman should be. As far as I have read and seen on TV, they grow up to a maximum of 2 metres.

I also saw a Steve Irwin episode a few years back where they were searching for large crocs. They saw some huge footprints and the distance between prints suggested a specimen over 20 feet. At his zoo there is a huge fiberglass model of a croc that must be about 8 metres, and the signage basically said that there could be monsters like this lurking blah blah. I'll see if I can find a pic showing a person for reference.
 
The tank is 24 inches and yes, the Caiman should be around 2 meters by that age, so a bit stunted!

Wow, an impressive croc...probably not out of the question, they do grow continually albeit slowly after a certain point. Appx proportions - thickness etc. can be extrapolated from known specimens; I'm guessing that was done at the Australia Zooand that proportions are accurate.

Best, Frank
 
Yeah, that is me posing on the croc at Australia Zoo.
Click the link, and there is a short description of the model (the croc, not me).
 
Thanks...so dimensions based in reality; We have a Komodo Dragon statue like that at the Bronx Zoo, just an inch or so longer than the largest specimen recorded,

Of course, in NYC people who tripped over it's tail have sued the zoo, so it's been moved around quite a bit...I think you guys are a bit more laid back about such things there!, Frank

best, Frank
 
Americans love to sue. Haha. Funny story if it's true. (I couldn't find a link via a Google search.)
 
Yes, that and beyond is true; Despite our ever-present press, large organizations here often manage (i.e. settle right away) to keep such things quiet! Best, Frank
 
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