Do crocodiles make good pets?

Answer 1

Crocodiles do not make good pets. They require difficult environments to set up and maintain. All it takes is one disobedient neighbor's kid to sneak into your yard and get mauled or killed by your pet to ruin your life forever. Their food is expensive even if it doesn't include the neighbor's children. You may establish trust with the crocodile but never loyalty or even fear. Veterinarians may refuse to help your sick or dying crocodile, and the one's that may help will clean out your bank account for sure. Crocodiles can live past your lifetime if properly maintained, in that your life will have to revolve around them or you'll have to sentence it to death (give it away and someone may kill it, or abandon it and someone will eventually kill the "wild" crocodile). They are more powerful than you and do not "listen" or even fear you. Once they reach a certain size, you will appear to be a possible food source. Reptiles do not have the capacity to overcome their instincts. So if their prey drive kicks up, they really can't stop...even if you are their "master."

Crocodiles and alligators are being bred in captivity, so there will be more in the future. I would suggest a less challenging and less deadly pet. Believe me, the shock value of the crocodile isn't worth the lifetime of trouble you will endure.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Do crocodiles make good pets?

Answer 3

Most crocks and alligators are too large to be properly housed in most homes--right off hand the only one I can think of that stays near pet size is a caiman. And those are best left to advanced herpers.

Even advanced herpers usually refrain from keeping a crock because they know what they would be getting into in terms of care and investment, which is considerable for these animals. Most vets won't touch them with a 10 foot pole--literally. They require very expensive caging because of their strength. And despite what you've seen on TV programs, they aren't safe to care for single handedly. I've had a Nile monitor that I got as a rescue animal which was "tame" for most purposes, and even that five footer was pretty ornery and tough to control at times. Very few people manage to keep even a Nile decently. Crocs and alligators are much tougher.

Crocks are kinda like Burmese pythons and retics, something only for the advanced herper who understands their requirements and is prepared to meet them. Lots of people want them and some will get them.......and then they get big. Really big. And now they're too much for the owner to handle. Subsequently many of them end up being destroyed because they've become too much of a handful for their owners. The zoo very rarely wants your "donation" of a large reptile, particularly one that is not difficult to obtain. It's almost impossible to find someone to take it.

Answer 4

As some have already stated, crocodiles grow too large and powerful to be safe pets. They have not been domesticated and even a "calm" one will be unpredictable. And it only takes one incident to land someone in a lot of pain.

Go with a farm-raised caiman or American alligator. They are much smaller, more domesticated (captive raised are more common), and less lethal, and they have that same crocodilian look you are seeking.

Answer 5

I own a common caiman, and don't find he's hard to keep--but I also did my homework waaaayyy before I ever entertained getting one. The guy in the petshop that tells you they only grow to their environment is either uneducated, lying to sell something, or both: GENETICS determine an animal's growth rate and size. If he tells you that the cute little hatchling in the store will only grow a few feet in length, depending on species, see above.

PETS, as in lie-down-and-cuddle-with-you? No. A croc's a croc, and crocodiles are--to put it simply--apex predators. They'll lose no sleep over taking a chunk out of you if you're careless enough to let them.

As a crocodilian owner, I won't fully discourage you from keeping one... but I'll put tremendous pressure on you to learn all that you can about them before bringing one into your home. Here's an excellant link for you to get you started, and it's one that focuses on the captive care requirements.

http://crocodilian.com/crocfaq/

Happy reading, and I hope this helps!

Answer 6

No, they do not make good good pets unless you have a pond and enough money fo their food. Crocodiles and alligators became illegal to buy in the seventies as pets because people did not realize they got so large (10 ft long).

Answer 7

Crocodilians are opportunistic feeders- they will eat anything they can catch. Young crocodilians feed primarily on small mammals, fish, insects, and amphibians such as frogs. Adults will consume these prey as well as larger mammals, birds, and reptiles found in their range.

It is illegal to capture, molest, feed or harm them, or possess or buy them without permits, or disturb their nests or eggs. They do not make good pets and become dangerous as they grow larger.

They can be dangerous, particularly those that have been fed by people. Feeding them and other wild animals is not only illegal, but causes them to lose their fear of humans. They become bold, aggressive and come to expect more food, which can be dangerous to people and ultimately to the animals.

Answer 8

crocodiles, no. they are far too aggressive and have not been domesticated.

american alligators however, are more common as pets. different states have different laws, so you will have to see your individual state's laws. some states will let you have one after taking a course and acquiring a permit.

if they were born in captivity, they are more tame, and the best way to keep them tame is to feed them dead food. by teaching them to kill and giving them live mice or fish, you are just encouraging the aggression.

feeding a baby gator dead food, and handling him daily makes for a friendly reptile. as they get larger, you can use scotch tape to keep their mouth shut when transporting them. the muscles to close their mouth are extremely strong, but the muscles to open them are extremely weak. a thin strip of scotch tape all around will keep their mouth closed.

i wouldn't recommend them as a pet to anyone who can't dedicate the time and energy to them. they require a lot of attention if you want them to be used to you and your voice and handling. they also get big! american alligators grow huge and are pretty resilient. they'll probably live to be 100 years old or older if you're taking good care of him. don't think short-term. this is not a pet for your bathtub. as he gets older he will need his own greenhouse, or backyard. your neighbor's safety will also come into play.

and no it is not inhumane to keep them in smaller spaces. a backyard is fine for a large gator. they are the kind of predator that lurks and waits for prey and then attacks. other than that, they typically don't move. they will lay in the sun and absorb the heat and wait for food. if you keep him well-fed, he won't do much of anything.

Answer 9

Depends where you live. If you live on a farm, then it is a fantastic pet. If you live in a small apartment in the city then the crocodile will quickly outgrow the space. This is why people often flush them when they get too big.

Answer 10

Oh sure. They love a lot of human contact. They are lovable and like being petted. But the main thing is with them is you have to keep their teeth clean so buy it his own brush.