This document provides information on starting and running a commercial crocodile farm in Bangladesh. It discusses the requirements, licensing, site selection, building construction, pen construction, feeding, care, and management of crocodiles. Two existing crocodile farms in Bangladesh are described as examples. The prospects for profit in the crocodile farming business in Bangladesh are also analyzed.

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January, 2017
Research on Crocodile Farming
AZAS SHAHRIER
PERSONAL RESEARCH

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CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3
INTRODUCTION 4
DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING CROCODILE FARM IN BANGLADESH 5
REQUIREMENT THAT MUST BE FULFILL TO START UP A COMMERCIAL CROCODILE FARM 5
LICENSING 6
CITES REQUIREMENTS 6
GEOGRAPHICAL CLIMATE REQUIREMENT 6
TRAINING 6
SELECTING A SUITABLE SITE 7
CONSTRUCTING BUILDING 7
FEEDING 7
CARE 7
FARM LOCATION 8
PEN CONSTRUCTION 9
MANAGING A CROCODILE FARM 10
NUTRITION AND FEEDING 10
POPULATION DENSITY 12
BREEDING 12
DISEASES AND PARASITES 12
KILLING, SKINNING, AND TANNING 13
MODERN CROCODILE FARMING 13
MARKET SCENARIO OF CROCODILE PRODUCT 13
PRICE OF CROCODILE PRODUCTS 15
MAJOR BUYER AND SELLER 15
WHY BANGLADESH IS SUITABLE FOR CROCODILE FARMING? 15
RISK RELATED WITH CROCODILE BUSINESS 16
CROCODILE SPECIES 17
LIST OF CROCODILE FARMS IN BANGLADESH 20
CONCLUSION 21
.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Commercial crocodile farming business is part of a complex industry. It is very profitable, but
requires a large amount of initial investment for 3 to 4 years. Lots of money have to be spent
before the crocodiles are grown enough and suitable for selling their skins or meat in the
international markets. Some areas around the world are suitable for commercial crocodile
farming, although success is not guaranteed in this business. Usually larger crocodile farms are
more viable and profitable than smaller farms. More about the necessary steps for starting and
running crocodile farming is addressed in this report.
The report represents a study on commercial crocodile farming in Bangladesh. Which includes
“Reptiles Farm Limited” and “Akij wildlife farm limited” the only two commercially registered
crocodile farms of Bangladesh. The research covers how to set up a crocodile farm, why
Bangladesh is suitable for crocodile farming, who are the main buyers and sellers of crocodile
products, demand of crocodile products to analyze prospect of crocodile business in Bangladesh.

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INTRODUCTION
In recent years, different donor agencies, World Bank and our government are trying to promote
investment in agro-business sector. The Industrial Policy 2004 and 2005 identified Agro-base
businesses as one of the thrust sectors in Bangladesh and offered special support for the sector.
Only few young entrepreneurs have taken the opportunities offered by donor agencies and
government to invest in unconventional livestock farming. Mushtaq Ahmed, the founder Managing
Director of Reptiles Farm Limited is one of those rare individuals. His idea of commercial crocodile
farming came as a shock in year 2004. But now his unconventional vision is a reality and attracting
a lot of attention.
The first commercial crocodile farm in Bangladesh, Reptiles Farm Ltd. started with 75 breeding
crocodiles imported from Malaysia in October 2006. This was originally a BDT. 60 million project
with some adjustments on the way. The farm bought 15 acres of land in Bhaluka and utilized
about 6 acres for the existing crocodile project. The juveniles are to be nurtured for another two
years before they can be harvested for belly skin which is of high demand in the world market.
This EEF (Equity and Entrepreneurship Fund) funded this project.
The farm needed permission from a number of local and international bodies and had to convince
a special committee to get the partial funding from EEF. The company is registered with Registrar
of Joint Stock of Companies as private limited company and has a vision of expanding the
business in other areas like snakes, butterflies and bees in future. The farm is the only CITES
registered (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora, also known as the Washington Convention is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered
plants and animals) commercial captive breeding facility in entire SAARC region. The farm also
wants to expand their activities in producing crocodile feed. The company currently has a
functional lab to conduct relevant research. The farm has 15 full time employees and uses local
unskilled labor force based on requirement. The farm had significant impact on the local economy
and development and thus get optimum co-operation from the local people.

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DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING CROCODILE FARM IN BANGLADESH
The first commercial crocodile farm reptile farm ltd established themselves as a pioneer in
crocodile business in Bangladesh. Successful history of reptile farm encourages Akij wildlife farm
to come forward in this sector as a second commercial crocodile farm in Bangladesh. After getting
their permission from forest department, ministry of forest & animal resource, Akij wildlife farm ltd
started their operation on 22nd September, 2008. It is situated at 271, Tumbru, Ghumdhum,
N.Chori, Bandarban, Bangladesh. Akij group has invested BDT. 10 crore in this project. Initially
they started with 50 big crocodiles those were imported from East Malaysia. At present this farm
is run by 15 employees. Each and every employees is well trained by local and foreign experts.
This full time employees look after the entire farm under supervision of an experienced manager.
Crocodiles are salable when they reach at the age of three years and 1.5 meter length. Besides,
they hope to cover their entire investment within 7 years. Its main purpose is to export crocodile
products like skin, meat, bone, teeth etc. in world market in a view to earning foreign exchange.
Moreover, Akij wildlife farm ltd. plans to acquire a large market share in the world market. The
farm had significant impact on the local economy and development and thus get optimum co-
operation from the local people.
REQUIREMENT THAT MUST BE FULFILL TO START UP A COMMERCIAL CROCODILE
FARM
Authorization: Forest Department, Ministry of Forest & Animal Resource
Area: Minimum 15 acre as per law
Capital: BDT. 10-12 crore
Working capital: BDT. 50 thousand per week
Employee: 15 (they must be trained up)
Research: Mandatory
Infrastructure: 1. breeding pen
2. Incubation room
3. Different shade for different age’s crocodile
4. Food office building
5. Outer boundary
Crocodile: Baby crocodile or semi mature crocodile

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LICENSING
Crocodiles are wild animal. They need to be licensed for raising them commercially. Contacting
with Forest Department, Ministry of Forest & Animal Resource, and asking them for the
procedures of getting a license for starting this business is imperative. If a suitable environment
is made already for raising them commercially, then it will be much easier to get the license.
CITES REQUIREMENTS
The Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species (CITES) needs to be fully
complied with in the trade of any part of the crocodile. Both the seller and the purchaser need to
comply with CITES requirements and certification. Compliance is required to export skins from
South Africa. CITES permits and tags on skins demonstrate that the skins are from farm bred
animals and not illegally poached. Under CITES regulations all skins must be tagged. These tags
give details of country of origin, year of skinning and an individual number. This is necessary for
the protection of wild crocodile populations. An approved CITES skin tag needs to be attached to
each skin as soon as is practicable after its removal from the crocodile carcass. This tag remains
attached whether the skin is in an unprocessed or tanned state (that is, the tag remains attached
to a whole skin during and after the tanning process). Tags are be locked to the final 5–10 cm
(approximately) of the tail.
GEOGRAPHICAL CLIMATE REQUIREMENT
For every type of crocodile, climate is very important due to the sex and fertility are determined
by temperature & humidity. Besides for its survival there must be 30-35° Celsius temperature. In
natural environment crocodile fertility rate is 80% but in farm condition fertility rate is 60%. So it is
necessary to ensure 32°C temperature and 99% humidity for getting crocodile’s maximum fertility.
TRAINING
Before starting, it will be advised to visit some existing commercial crocodile farms. The needs to
be trained is terms of properly handling the reptiles.

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SELECTING A SUITABLE SITE
Selecting a suitable site for starting crocodile farming business is mandatory. An area should be
chosen where wild crocodiles can live naturally. Considerations must be taken for crocodile’s
breeding and growing. Ensuring good transportation system is advised in case of an emergency.
CONSTRUCTING BUILDING
Usually an area of about 800 square feet cooler, freezer and storage space is suitable enough for
housing the incubation room. No nursery is needed in the incubation room, as the grow-out
building holds the new hatchlings. A grow out building with about 5,000 square feet space is ideal.
Different people develop building designs include concrete block, wood, or metal buildings. But
all are thoroughly insulated and rest on a heated concrete foundation. Crocodiles require a
consistent temperature of 86° to 88° Fahrenheit or 30° to 31.1° Celsius. So hot water pipes should
be used to run through the concrete for providing a consistent temperature in the building. Electric
heating coils can also be used. Additional buildings should be constructed for keeping different
aged crocodiles separated from each other.
FEEDING
For proper growth, healthy feeding is a must. These reptiles have to be provided with fresh foods.
Farmer or the person responsible for raising and maintaining the crocodiles has to keep a stock
of fresh frozen meats on hand. Usually beef, chicken, deer, fish, horse meat etc. are used for
commercial crocodile farming business. For ensuring a proper growth, proper feeding rates must
be used. For the first year, the proper system is to feed them 25 percent food per week according
to their body weight. Then the amount of feed has to be reduced to 18 percent by their third year
of age. Adequate amount of food should be provided otherwise, overfeeding can cause
gout/disease in crocodiles.
CARE
Crocodiles must be kept stress-free. Because a stressed crocodile may develop brown spot
disease. This disease creates discolored spots on the hides of the crocodile, and it reduce their
value. The space for them cannot be overcrowded in the hutches. Crocodiles don’t congregate

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except the breeding season. Limited number of crocodiles should be kept in a single pen/hutch.
Outside noise also needs to be minimized by insulating the building. The pens needs to be
cleaned on a regular basis. Agitate the crocodiles before, during or after feeding is strongly
prohibited. The pen cleaning process can be performed in the morning.
FARM LOCATION
Reliable supplies of good water and suitable food are the most important considerations for
establishment of a crocodile farm; the area selected must have both. Village farms also need to
be close enough to wild crocodile populations for the animals to be obtained easily. Larger farms
can be located farther from the source.
For small farms, a natural supply of food should also be readily available in the wild. Areas that
have a fishing industry are ideal locations. For large farms, sites near slaughterhouses or fish-
processing facilities are ideal.
Other considerations also include the volume of water available throughout the year, the distance
over which water must be piped to the ponds, and pumping costs. The quality of the water should
be established, with samples tested for salinity and acidity and, where the supply comes from
mineral springs, analyzed for harmful chemicals. Chlorinated water must be tested regularly to
ensure that the chlorine content is not too high, and the nature of any factory effluents present
should be determined. It is important to establish whether fish, frogs, crabs, mollusks, or aquatic
insects survive in the water intended for use.
The ponds should receive as much sun as possible, particularly during the winter months. A series
of winter air temperature recordings would be useful in choosing the site of rearing pens,
Preference should be given to the warmer locations, taking into account the direction of local
winds and heavy rains.
Soil types are the next consideration. If soils are sandy and porous, earth ponds are impractical
and a concrete lining is required to retain water.
Drainage of the ponds must be carefully considered. Drainage is far easier if the ponds are built
on a slight rise. Water from the ponds must not be allowed to stagnate nearby; the drainage
system must be efficient.

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PEN CONSTRUCTION
Pens with rounded corners are the most successful. Crocodiles frequently choose to lie together
in a pile. Square corners allow them to pile up against the angle, smothering those on the bottom
and sometimes allowing animals to climb over the fence. With rounded corners, the pile cannot
grow very high before the crocodiles slide sideways and the heap collapses.
The pools are best built as channels. This provides more bank for basking and enables the pools
to accommodate more crocodiles. Because the larger males become belligerent only when they
can see each other, floating logs, patches of grass, or channel corners are visual barriers that
reduce interactions. The channel system also gives more water edge, and this appears to satisfy
the territorial instinct.
Crocodiles are famous for basking in the sun, but they die surprisingly easily of heat prostration.
At least one-third of the land area of a farm pen should be shaded with vegetation. The amount
of space around each pool is calculated to allow sufficient basking space for each animal, and an
area of shade must likewise be provided.
On land, crocodiles often seek contact with each other and frequently lie piled on top of each
other, but this should be a matter of choice rather than of overcrowding. There should be few
enough animals in the enclosure to allow every crocodile to get out of the water if it chooses.
An important requirement is that the pools be at least 60 cm in depth; otherwise, the water
becomes too hot in summer. The pool floor should be sloped towards the drain outlet to facilitate
cleaning and flushing away uneaten food. Also, the outlet pipe should be 10 cm in diameter, with
a stopcock outside the enclosure, so that the pool can be cleaned and emptied efficiently. It is
essential to place a screen in the drainpipe to prevent small crocodiles from escaping or being
sucked out of the pool during cleaning. After some time, stagnant ponds may become difficult to
clean because of the heavy growth of algae on their sides. Hard-bristle scrubbing brushes are
needed to dislodge this growth. Small amounts of copper sulfate in the water will help control
algae if used regularly.
The entire pond and surrounding apron must be smoothly plastered to facilitate cleaning. It helps
to have a water source close to each pool from which a hose pipe can be led to pressure spray
and clean the pool and its apron.
For small crocodiles it is advisable to roof over the entire pen with wire netting or cries-crossed
strands of wire. This protects against predators. Further, young crocodiles can climb vertical wire

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netting with ease and will escape unless the enclosure is either roofed or has side walls that slope
inwards. A skirting board (planking, sheet iron, tin, or plastic sheeting) placed against the wire
netting can also prevent this. If wire netting is used for the sides of the pens it should have
mesh/webbing no larger than 1 cm so that hatchlings will not injure themselves by trying to climb
through. While these pools are being cleaned, care must be exercised to prevent crocodiles from
falling into the empty pool.
Water can be passed continuously through the pools. The advantage of this is that during hot
summer weather, when crocodiles are feeding at their maximum rate, small uneaten food
particles, feces, and urine are carried away. Constant dilution of the pond's water also ensures a
low bacteria level. However, the pool must be drained and scrubbed clean at least weekly.
Because of the animals digging capabilities, it is important to provide a strip of land 4 m wide
between the pool's edge and the boundary fence. Otherwise, crocodiles may tunnel beyond the
fence line. Fences must be buried at least 1 m deep to intercept the holes and to prevent predators
from digging in. Digging, however, can be hazardous, because the holes can collapse and
suffocate the animals.
MANAGING A CROCODILE FARM
It is a problem to sort the young crocodiles. From one clutch of eggs, some individuals will be
aggressive and others may be shy or extremely timid; growth may vary from rapid to very slow,
with a few individuals classed as runts.
Larger animals can be so dominant that smaller individuals will not even attempt to feed. If sorting
is not done, the smaller, less-aggressive individuals do not get a fair share of the food; they grow
slowly and get bitten and harassed by the larger animals. At feeding time, some will flee to the
opposite side of the pen and stop feeding altogether. Keeping the young animals sorted into
classes of the same size avoids many of these problems.
NUTRITION AND FEEDING
Despite the crocodilian's reputation as a man-eater, small wild crocodiles live mainly on
invertebrates and larger ones live mainly on fish. They can be fed a varied diet of locally caught
fish, crab, shrimp, frogs, snails, grasshoppers, beetles, and slaughterhouse waste. Bones in
chopped fish must be minced/mashed thoroughly for hatchlings (very young crocodiles), or they
should be fed very small fish supplemented by tadpoles or insects. Remarkable success can be
achieved in rearing hatchlings on a diet of chopped fish and live freshwater shrimp.

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Fish is an excellent food for the bulk feeding of a large captive population. Whole fish chopped
into pieces, including the livers and hearts, forms a balanced diet that may be supplemented by
meat, if available, to make up bulk. Small whole fish are particularly suitable; the crocodiles derive
calcium from the bones and scales, plus roughage to facilitate digestion, while the flesh, liver, and
heart are rich in nutrients and protein. The main difficulty usually lies in harvesting enough fish to
meet the crocodiles' demands.
Crocodiles also can be fed on a variety of wastes such as offal or noncommercial fish. Ideally, a
large-scale farm should be located near a poultry slaughterhouse. (Cattle offal is also satisfactory,
but it is not nutritionally adequate as a sole ration for crocodiles.) Even crocodile offal itself can
be fed back to crocodiles. However, the use of offal will necessitate dietary supplements to assure
sufficient phosphorus and calcium. These minerals are generally provided by feeding bones to
the crocodiles.
Crocodiles usually consume their food in the water, but they can also be fed on land. They will
eat daily, but are able to remain active for weeks without food. If they are fed in the water of a
farm pen, the water will become polluted unless there is considerable flow to carry away the
remains. In extreme cases, the pools become infected. To ensure the health of the growing
animals, constantly flowing water is far superior to standing water.
It is important to know the amount of food that each group of animals will consume at each meal.
By feeding at the same time each day, it is easy to calculate how much is required. Moreover, the
crocodiles become accustomed to a routine and the food is consumed while it is still fresh. In the
hot summer months the animals will consume a full meal every 24 hours, but the feeding rate
decreases/relaxes with the onset of colder weather. It is then wise to start reducing frequency and
quantities until food is required only depending on the climate. Generally, young crocodiles will
refuse food when the air or water temperature falls below 60°F (15.6°C). Even in midsummer
sudden cold spells may occur; at such times, it is usually useless to feed the animals or try to
force them to eat until the weather warms up again.
During hot weather conditions it is preferable to feed late in the afternoon or evenings, mainly to
avoid placing the food on a hot cement surface. The food should be spread out around the edge
of the pool under the shaded area so that the animals do not have to climb over one another to
reach it.
In cemented pens the area where the food is laid out should be cleaned and cleaned two hours
after feeding time and any uneaten food removed from the water with a hand net. In earthen

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pools, the food should be placed at a different spot along the bank at each feeding. A useful aid
to hygiene is keeping a few predacious fish in each pool to clean up scraps of uneaten food.
POPULATION DENSITY
Twenty-five crocodiles are considered the maximum manageable number per unit; staying within
this limit reduces competition for food, bullying and fighting, and the number of injuries. A low
stocking rate also results in a more even average growth rate. Most important is the fact that the
overall health of the crocodiles is better than in a more crowded pen; disease problems are fewer
and the symptoms easier to detect in a small group. If the units are spaced 8 m apart, there is
also less danger of infectious disease spreading to other pens. The cleaning of pens is facilitated,
and the disturbance caused by capturing crocodiles to be moved to other units is minimized.
Housing 500 crocodiles in groups of 25 will require 20 separate pens, and an additional two pens
should be provided to allow for intensive care of sick, injured, and weaker animals.
During the first year, when animals are graded frequently, they will often be moved from one pen
to another. Recording the number of animals housed in each pen will make it possible to keep
track of numbers and movements.
BREEDING
Reproduction is impossible when crocodiles are kept in large groups composed of different
species and sizes and in more or less unnatural enclosures.
Healthy, sexually mature pairs of crocodiles are usually not enough to start a breeding program.
Genetic diversity to maintain a long-term breeding group must be considered, and certain
environmental factors are vital for success. The distinct size and age classes of a free-living
population must also be taken into consideration.
DISEASES AND PARASITES
Disease symptoms may be easily overlooked if the observer is not familiar with the behavior of
crocodiles under a variety of conditions. It is essential to know how they normally walk, swim,
sleep, feed, and bask in relation to the time of day, the air and water temperatures, and the amount
of sunlight or rain, by day, by night, and at different seasons of the year. Caretakers should notice
the appearance of feces from healthy animals to be able to detect evidence of diarrhea, and to
identify misaligned teeth and weakened limbs to detect nutritional deficiencies. Eggs are critically
dependent on specific temperature and moisture requirements if the embryos are to develop
normally.

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It is recommended that whenever possible animals found newly dead should be dissected and
vital organs such as the brain, heart, lung, liver, spleen, kidney, and stomach removed for
veterinary research. Blood slides should also be taken and waste samples collected. The various
specimens must be carefully labeled, frozen as quickly as possible, and packed on ice in a
vacuum flask for immediate dispatch to the nearest veterinary research institute or pathologist.
Alternatively, dying animals may be sent live for research purposes.
KILLING, SKINNING, AND TANNING
Some farmers kill the crocodiles themselves, but many rear the animals and then sell them to a
larger concern that is better equipped to deal with the skins. Killing is done most quickly and
humanely by catching the crocodile with a noose and severing the spinal cord just behind the
skull.
Many hides are ruined or severely damaged during skinning. Even a single hole resulting from a
slip of the skinning knife may reduce a hide's value by 25 percent.
Although salt remains the universally used preservative for raw hides, the reptile leather industry
has developed chemical fixatives that are used in addition to salt for preserving hides for tanning.
Most of these pre-tannage fixatives are liquid and require soaking the hide in a vat, which may
not be feasible in remote areas.
MODERN CROCODILE FARMING
Crocodile farming is a form of intensive animal farming. Raising requirements are similar for all
crocodilian species, although some aspects vary and are species-specific. For example, the
Siamese Crocodile (C. siamensis) is considered a good “farm” species relative to the Saltwater
Crocodile (C. porosus). The latter is much more territorial and aggressive.
MARKET SCENARIO OF CROCODILE PRODUCT
It is a matter of great surprise that whole crocodile market is around $140 billion dollar. It’s a huge
market. Various products are produced from different body parts of crocodile. Some example are
given below;

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Parts of body Product
Meat Food
Skin Belt, Purse etc.
Bone Perfume, Flavor
Teeth Ornaments
Claw Key ring
Blood Pharmaceutical
SKIN
In the world market the Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) skin is the most valuable one
because of its relatively small scale size and lack of osteoderms (small bones) in the belly scales.
Total market size for the crocodile skin is approximately one billion dollars per annum. In 1990,
the world trade in quality Saltwater Crocodile skins was estimated to be about 150,000 per annum.
It has increased substantially in recent years. Competition in the skin trade comes primarily from
crocodiles and alligators produced in Papua New Guinea, Africa, Asia (Indonesia and Thailand)
and North America. Under CITES regulations, all skins must be tagged giving details of country
of origin, year of skinning and an individual number. Crocodiles are valued primarily for their skins,
being manufactured into designer products such as belts, shoes, boots, handbags, purses,
wallets and briefcases. Skins are also manufactured into hatbands, wristbands, guitar straps,
trophy skins, and other products.
MEAT
In addition to skins, crocodiles are farmed for their meat. Small but increasing quantities of
crocodile meat are being produced for the domestic market. As the meat is produced for human
consumption, like cattle and sheep, health and hygiene standards must be met. A single 1.5m
crocodile gives about 6kg of meat; cuts include tail fillet, eye fillet, leg meat, body meat and jowls
(jaw muscles). Crocodile meats are of high demand in Australia and some other European
countries.

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OTHERS
In addition, other body parts are manufactured for the tourist trade, and include heads, skulls,
teeth, backscratchers, key tags, or entire taxidermically prepared animals.
PRICE OF CROCODILE PRODUCTS
In world market per kg meat of a crocodile is around $27 to $30. Crocodile skin is very valuable
because various kinds of things are produced from it. When adult crocodile belly is 37 to 47 cm
width then it is appropriate to collect skin. In world market per cm skin is around $22. In world
market the ladies bag made out of crocodile skin purely is estimated to be around $15000.
MAJOR BUYER AND SELLER
Major buyer of crocodile products are Australia, America, Europe & other developed countries.
Besides China is the largest buyer of crocodile meat, 90% world market is controlled by Australia
& Papua New Guinea. Along with America, South Africa & Zimbabwe are also major seller.
WHY BANGLADESH IS SUITABLE FOR CROCODILE FARMING?
Bangladesh has ideal geographical climate. In many countries the climate must be created with
an artificial environment for crocodile farming. In Bangladesh there is no need to create an artificial
environment.
In developed countries labor cost per hour is minimum $30. Therefore; comparing to other
country’s labor costs, Bangladesh’s labor cost very cheap. So crocodile farming in Bangladesh is
very profitable. Already Bangladesh govt. has given permission for establishing commercial
crocodile farm. Bangladesh government has also established crocodile farming act to facilitate
crocodile farming. Since crocodile farming has great prospect, many commercial bank are
interested in providing loan facilities. Around the world there are 23 types of crocodile. Among
them demand of salt water crocodile is very high. Due to natural reasons only few countries can
produce salt water crocodile. Fortunately, Bangladesh is one of them. In exporting crocodile
products Bangladesh gets tax-free entrance in European market.

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RISK RELATED WITH CROCODILE BUSINESS
 There is a risk associated if govt. change its policy regarding crocodile.
 Long time is required to reach break-even point about 6 year.
 Death of crocodile before reaching maturity.
 Shortage of expert/skilled human resource in this sector.
 Crocodile products are grading in accordance with its quality. If the product quality is not
maintained to international standards there may be a risk of under valuation of price.
Such as; 1st grade : 100%
2nd grade : 75%
3rd grade : 50%
4th grade : Little or no payment.

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CROCODILE SPECIES
Species name Type Distribution Description/Comments
American
crocodile (Croc
odylus acutus)
Freshwater +
Brackishwater
Throughout
the Caribbean Basin,
including many of
the Caribbean
islands and South
Florida
A larger sized species, with a greyish color and
a prominent V-shaped snout.
Prefers brackish water, but also inhabits lower
stretches of rivers and
true marine environments. This is one of the rare
species that exhibits regular sea-going behavior,
which explains the great distribution throughout
the Caribbean. It is also found in hypersaline
lakes such as Lago Enriquillo, in the Dominican
Republic, which has one of the largest
populations of this species. Diet consists mostly
of aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates. Classified
as Vulnerable, but certain local populations
under greater threat.
Slender-snouted
crocodile (Croco
dylus
cataphractus)
Freshwater
Central and Western
Africa
A medium sized species with a narrow and
elongated snout. Lives
in freshwater habitats within tropical forests
of the continent. Feeds mostly on fish but
also other small to medium sized
vertebrates. Possibly belongs to its
own monotypic genus, Mecistops.
Orinoco
crocodile (Croc
odylus
intermedius)
Freshwater
Colombia and
Venezuela
This is a large species with a relatively
elongated snout and a pale tan coloration
with scattered dark brown markings. Lives
primarily in the Orinoco Basin. Despite
having a rather narrow snout, preys on a
wide variety of vertebrates, including large
mammals. It is a Critically
Endangered species.
Freshwater
crocodile (Croc
odylus johnsoni)
Freshwater Northern Australia
A smaller species with a narrow and
elongated snout. It has light brown
coloration with darker bands on body and
tail. Lives in rivers with considerable
distance from the sea, to avoid
confrontations with saltwater crocodiles.
Feeds mostly on fish and other small
vertebrates.
Philippine
crocodile (Croc
odylus
mindorensis)
Freshwater
Endemic to
the Philippines
This is a relatively small species with a
rather broader snout. It has heavy dorsal
armor and a golden-brown color that
darkens as the animal matures.
Prefers freshwater habitats and feeds on a
variety of small to medium sized
vertebrates. This species is Critically
Endangered and the most severely
threatened species of crocodile.
Morelet's
crocodile (Croc
odylus moreletii)
Freshwater
Atlantic regions
of Mexico, Belize and
Guatemala
A small to medium sized crocodile with a
rather broad snout. It has a dark greyish-
brown color and is found in mostly

18. 18
various freshwater habitats. Feeds on
mammals, birds and reptiles. It is listed
as least concerned.
Nile
crocodile (Croc
odylus niloticus)
Freshwater +
Brackishwater
Sub-Saharan Africa
A large and aggressive species with a
broad snout, especially in older animals. It
has a dark bronze coloration and darkens
as the animal matures. Lives in a variety of
freshwater habitats but is also found in
brackish water. It is an apex predator that is
capable of taking a wide array
of African vertebrates, including large
ungulates and other predators. This species
is listed as Least Concern.
New Guinea
crocodile (Croc
odylus
novaeguineae)
Freshwater +
Tolerant to
Saltwater
The island of New
Guinea
A smaller species of crocodile with a grey-
brown color and dark brown to black
markings on the tail. The young have a
narrower V-shaped snout that becomes
wider as the animal matures.
Prefers freshwater habitats, even though is
tolerant to salt water, in order to avoid
competition and predation by the saltwater
crocodile. This species feeds on small to
mid-sized vertebrates.
Mugger
crocodile (Croc
odylus palustris)
Freshwater
The Indian
subcontinent and
surrounding countries
This a modest sized crocodile with a very
broad snout and an alligator-like
appearance. It has dark-grey to brown
coloration with enlarged scutes around the
neck, making it a considerably heavy
armored species. Prefers slow
moving rivers, swamps and lakes. It can
also be found in coastal swamps but avoids
areas populated by saltwater crocodiles.
Feeds on a wide array of vertebrates.
Saltwater
crocodile (Croc
odylus porosus)
Saltwater +
Brackishwater
Throughout Southeast
Asia, Northern
Australia and
surrounding waters
The largest living reptile and most
aggressive of all crocodiles. It is a big-
headed species and has a relatively broad
snout, especially when older. The coloration
is pale yellow with black stripes when young
but dark greenish-drab colored as adults.
Lives in brackish and marine environments
as well as lower stretches of rivers. This
species has the greatest distribution of all
crocodiles. Tagged specimens showed
long-distance marine travelling behavior. It
is the apex predator throughout its range
and preys on virtually any animal within its
reach. It is classified as least concern with
several populations under greater risk.
It is a small but extremely aggressive
species of crocodile that

19. 19
Cuban
crocodile (Croc
odylus
rhombifer)
Freshwater
Found only in
the Zapata
Swamp of Cuba
prefers freshwater swamps. The coloration
is vibrant even as adults and the scales
have a "pebbled" appearance. It is a
relatively terrestrial species with agile
locomotion on land, sometimes displays
terrestrial hunting. The snout is broad with a
thick upper-jaw and large teeth. The unique
characteristics and fossil record indicates a
rather specialized diet in the past, preying
on megafauna such as the giant sloth. This
species sometimes displays pack-hunting
behavior, which might have been the key to
hunting large species in the past, despite its
small size. Today most prey are small to
medium sized vertebrates. It is Critically
Endangered, and the remaining wild
population is under threat of hybridization.
Siamese
crocodile (Croc
odylus
siamensis)
Freshwater
Indonesia, Brunei, East
Malaysia and
southern Indochina
A fairly small crocodile that
prefers freshwater habitats. It has a
relatively broad snout and olive-green to
dark green coloration. It feeds on a variety
of small to mid-sized vertebrates. Listed
as Critically endangered, but might be
already extinct in the wild; status is
unknown.
West African
crocodile (Croc
odylus suchus)
Freshwater Western and Central
Africa
Recent studies revealed that this is distinct
species from the larger Nile crocodile. It has
a slightly narrower snout and is much
smaller compared to its larger cousin.
Dwarf
crocodile (Oste
olaemus
tetraspis)
Freshwater Western Africa
It is the smallest of all living crocodiles. It
belongs to its own monotypic genus;
however, new studies indicate there might
be two or even three distinct species. It is a
heavily armored species with uniform black
coloration in adults, while juveniles have a
lighter brown banding. Lives in the tropical
forests of Western Africa. Feeds on small
vertebrates and large aquatic invertebrates.
It is a fairly terrestrial species and exhibits
terrestrial hunting, especially at night. This
species is classified as Vulnerable.

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LIST OF CROCODILE FARMS IN BANGLADESH
1. Reptiles Farm Limited
Corporate address: 56, Purana Paltan Lane, Room-11-12, 10th Floor, Dhaka-1000
Location: Hatiber village of Uthura union under Bhaluka, Mymensingh.
2. Akij Wild Life Firm Limited
Address: Remote hill district of Bandarban 'Naiksyanchari' on the mountains ghumdhum
3. Karamjal Crocodile Breeding Center / Karamjal Wildlife Reproduction Centre
Address: Chandpai range on the bank of Pashur River of the Sundarbans east zone,
Bagerhat
Government established the breeding center under Chandpai range of the Sundarbans
in Mongla upazila in 2002 aiming to breed and rear the endangered saltwater crocodiles.
4. Sangu Matamuhari / Sangu Wildlife Sanctuary (Non-commercial)
Address: Bandarban District, Chittagong Division, Bangladesh (Governing body -
Bangladesh Forest Department)
No. of species: 56 species of reptiles.
5. Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary (Non-commercial)
Address: Hunarughat of Habiganj district
No. of species: 18 species of reptiles.

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CONCLUSION
Keeping and breeding of crocodile in the captivity is an effective protective measure. Breeding
also makes possible to commercially exploit crocodiles legally within the framework of CITES. It
is found that control of air temperature and air humidity can improve hatching rates. It is also
observed that protection from predators and providing provisioning food may increase survival
rate of young crocodiles.