Crocodiles of the World News from Crocodiles Of The World
- Thread starter zoogiraffe
- Start date
It will be interesting to discover what *kind* of Nile Crocodile this animal is 
with a little luck it might be a variety I have not seen......
with a little luck it might be a variety I have not seen......It will be interesting to discover what *kind* of Nile Crocodile this animal is
Well, it does look noticeably different to the other Nile crocs they have here. It is a similar size to those that came from France but, I suppose, that does not reflect its age. It is a pale grey-green with black flecks and none of the dark banding and markings that the others exhibit.
Interesting; this raises the possibility that - assuming the animal comes from wild-caught and thus purebred subspecific stock, rather than captive-bred and potentially non-ssp hybrid - the animal might be a nominate C.n.niloticus (which comes from the part of the range nearest to Lebanon) or the split C.suchus, as I seem to recall those are the two taxa with the least distinct banding.
Of the 24 eggs laid on 4th June, 16 are banded and therefore most likely fertile. The expected hatch date for these eggs would be in late August.
Information from Facebook.
Information from Facebook.
On 20th August, eight Siamese crocodiles hatched from the eggs laid earlier this year. They are thought to be the first Siamese crocodiles hatched in a European captive collection to have been DNA-tested for purity. Fantastic news.
https://www.facebook.com/184879921566189/posts/699644910089685/
https://www.facebook.com/184879921566189/posts/699644910089685/
Some fantastic news on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/184879921566189/posts/699644910089685/
It is worth noting that whether or not this brood represents the first 100% pure breeding of the species in Europe - which it may or may not be, as untested animals *have* bred on occasion in the past - it is most certainly the first EVER breeding of the species in the United Kingdom.
https://www.facebook.com/184879921566189/posts/699644910089685/
It is worth noting that whether or not this brood represents the first 100% pure breeding of the species in Europe - which it may or may not be, as untested animals *have* bred on occasion in the past - it is most certainly the first EVER breeding of the species in the United Kingdom.
A trio of two-year old Australian freshwater crocodiles have gone on display, having arrived back in May. This now brings the total number of crocodilian species at the centre up to 16.
Information from Facebook.
Information from Facebook.
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Just thought I would post and let people know that it is now known to be after DNA testing that this animal is niloticus X suchus hybrid,which very much raises the question how and why it got where it did.My money is on it being an escape from a near by Israeli Crocodile farm!!!!
Excellent news, does anybody know where they came from? My estimate would be Frankfurt as when we went in 2013 there were 3 young animals on show in a nursery section of the exotarium just opposite the adult freshies.
these represent a species-level lifetick for me!
Something to note from the newest issue of the Colchester Zoo magazine - while the Chimp World redevelopments are taking place the two female slender-snouted crocodiles have been temporarily moved to Crocodiles of the World, and will return to the zoo once the work has been completed.
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
They are being held in the collections very good off-show pools!!
One hopes the collection gets the species in its own right down the line
I visited for the first time yesterday and was very impressed . There were a good number of visitors and it seems further expansion is planned , with a larger cafe advertised . The staff were very friendly . Some very impressive specimens on show - the breeding male Mississippi alligator and Siamese crocodile in particular . The Nile crocodile feeding demonstration was impressive , though I struggled with the 35C heat of the Crocodile House .
There were 2 recently hatched African dwarf crocodiles in with their parents , one was visible on top of the nest mound . American alligator and Siamese crocodile eggs are being incubated and should hatch soon .
The Morelet's crocodiles have been removed from the Nile crocodile enclosure and did not appear to be on show . I did not see the freshwater crocodiles , they were hiding under the wooden platform in their nursery enclosure , they cannot be very big .
There were 2 recently hatched African dwarf crocodiles in with their parents , one was visible on top of the nest mound . American alligator and Siamese crocodile eggs are being incubated and should hatch soon .
The Morelet's crocodiles have been removed from the Nile crocodile enclosure and did not appear to be on show . I did not see the freshwater crocodiles , they were hiding under the wooden platform in their nursery enclosure , they cannot be very big .
Have the Morelett's got another exhibit or off-exhibit for good / for now?
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Believe they are all off-show until the next expansion of the centre!
It is getting better and better. As herpphile I am glad.
I wish more zoos would invest in maintaining and breeding endangered crocs. It is all worth it …. Perhaps, with the current crop of crocodilian based zoos in Europe we might slowly see a change.