The document provides an overview of the biological characteristics, habitat, feeding habits, reproduction, and health issues of crocodiles and pythons. It highlights their cold-blooded nature, predation methods, and life spans, along with the environmental and husbandry needs for their management. Key health problems are also addressed, emphasizing the importance of proper care and habitat conditions.

1. WELCOME
Prepared by
MD Rafiqul Islam
ID :1501171
BANGLADESH AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

2. Discussions
• Characteristic biological feature
• Habitat
• Feeds & feeding
• Reproduction
• Health issues
• Health management

3. CROCODILE
Biological characteristics
Order : Crocodilia
• Size : 5 -17 ft
• Cold blooded.
• Have 4 chambered heart & functional diaphragm.
• Short limb with webbed feet , large and flattened mouth.
• Acute senses and very good night vision.
• No sweat gland. Release heat through mouth.
• Move by ‘‘belly run” and ‘‘high walk”.
• 80 sharp teeth with strong jaw.
• Life span : 35-40 years.

4. Habitat
• Widely distributed .
-Bangladesh, India, Nepal , Australia, Brazil, South &
Central America etc.
• Thrive in warm regions to regulate body temperature.
• Mainly semi aquatic and live in lowland, humid tropics
like lake, river, swamps etc.
- Marsh crocodile
- Estuarine crocodile
• As they have salt gland on tongue, they can live in
brackish water.

5. Feeds and feeding
• Known as ambush predator.
• Wait for fish and land animals to come close and
rush out to attack.
• Mostly eat fish,amphibians,birds and mammals like
young hyppo, deer,wild cattle & buffalo etc.
• Often cannibalize smaller crocodiles.
• Aggressive scavenger & steal food from others.
• Highly acidic stomach (< 1 pH) that helps in
digestion of bone,hoof,horn etc.

6. Reproduction
• Sexual dimorphism.
• Sex determined by temperature.
Low temp. - female
High temp. - male
• Mating takes place in water.
• Lay eggs (50-60) in holes in sand/mud or mound
• Fertilization is internal and eggs may be
embryonated.
• Average incubation period is 80 days.
• While eggs are ready to hatch, the fully developed
young squeak to signal mother for assistance.
• Females take care of the young.

7. Health issues
• Wound
• Abscess
• Anorexia
• Ulcer
• Stomatitis
• Enteritis
• Wart
• Tuberculosis
• Crocodile pox
• Deep mycoses
• Amoebiasis and parasitic infestation

8. Python
Biological features:
Order: Squamata
• Cold blooded.
• Yellowish to dark brown colour.
• Smooth ,scaly skin with beautiful fancy patterns.
• Ecdysis
• Beady eyes , flickering tongue.
• Poor eyesight but good heat sensors.
• Grow very long ( upto 20 feet).
• Weight may be upto 200 pound.

9. Habitat
• Widely distributed.
(Bangladesh,Nepal,India,Pakistan,Srilanka,Hongkong,Myanme
r,China.Nicobor island etc)
• Mainly live in jungles, swamp land, rocky hills,
woodland, river valley, marshy lands of tropic and
sub-tropic area.
• They are excellent swimmer but most of the time
spend on tree.

10. Feeds and feeding
• Carnivorous and have sharp , backward curving
teeth.
• After grasping it wrap a no. of coil around the prey
and create extreme pressure to kill the animal
• Can swallow animals larger than its diameter
• Mainly eat rabbit, rodent,young deer, antelope,wild
fowl etc.
• After a heavy meal, they don’t move and fast for
weeks to months

11. Reproduction
• Mature at 5-6 years of age & mate in winter.
• Oviparous and lay eggs ( up to 100) 3-4 months after
mating .
• Females incubate them and temp. is achieved by
muscular shivering of mother.
• Females don’t eat during incubation period and only
leave to bask to raise body temperature.
• Hatched youngs are 45-60 cm long.
• Mother don’t care for the new born.

12. Health problems
• Disecdysis
• Anorexia
• Dermatitis
• Stomatitis
• Corneal opacity
• Wound
• Abscess
• Enteritis
• Ulceration of shell
• Blister disease
• Protozoal and parasitic infection

13. Management
• Proper husbandry is the most important factor.
• Animal welfare.
• Naturalistic habitat or enclosure.
• Hiding place.
• Favourable temperature (PBT), light and humidity.
• Proper nutrition.
• Exercise and opportunity to exhibit natural behaviors ,
presence of partner or opposite sex.
• Stress free condition.
• Prompt disease or abnormality identification and
taking appropriate measures.

14. References
• Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
-Prof. Dr M.A. Samad
• Zoo management,education and introduction and feeding
- Dr Ziaur Rahman Selim
• www.basicbiology.net
• www.crocodilian.com
• www.science.jrank.orgoduction