Crocodile Farming in the Philippines: How to Grow and Care for Crocodiles

April 2, 2024 by Lauro Braganza

As the demand for exotic animals and luxury items increases, so does the number of people turning to crocodile farming as an alternative source of income. In this article, we’ll explore what is involved in setting up a crocodile farm and how to properly care for these ancient reptiles so they can be harvested and sold in the best conditions possible.

What is Crocodile Farming?

Crocodile farming is raising crocodiles for their meat, skin, and other products. It is a relatively new industry, with most farms established in the past few decades.

Crocodiles are farmed in many parts of the world, including Australia, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The main markets for crocodile products are Europe and North America.

There are two main types of crocodile farming: intensive and extensive. Intensive farms keep the crocodiles in concrete tanks or ponds and provide them with regular fish or chicken meals. Extensive farms allow crocodiles to roam freely in large fenced-in areas and only provide supplemental feedings.

The majority of crocodile farms are located in tropical climates like the Philippines and Thailand, where crocodiles naturally thrive. However, some farms have been successful in colder climates, such as South Africa and the United States.

Crocodile farming is a controversial practice due to animal welfare concerns. Crocodiles are known to be difficult and dangerous animals to care for, and there have been several high-profile incidents of farm workers being killed by crocodiles. However, supporters of crocodile farming argue that it is a sustainable way to harvest crocodile products without harming wild populations.

In the Philippines, crocodile farmers breed and raise two species of Philippine crocodiles: the Philippine saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) and the Philippine freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis).

Benefits of Crocodile Farming

Crocodile farming has many benefits, both for the farmers and for the environment. Crocodiles are farmed for their meat, skin, and oil, which are all used in various products.

Crocodile meat is high in protein and low in fat, making it a healthy alternative to red meat. Crocodile skin is used to make leather goods, such as belts and shoes, and the oil from crocodiles is used in cosmetics and skincare products.

Crocodile farming also has a positive impact on the environment. Crocodiles are bred in captivity, which helps to preserve wild populations. In addition, farming crocodiles requires relatively little land and water compared to other livestock.

Steps for Setting Up a Crocodile Farm

Assuming you have the land and water rights to set up a crocodile farm, the next step is to build infrastructure. This includes pens or enclosures for the crocodiles, a hatchery, and sheds for processing meat and skins. You will also need to drill a well or set up some other way to provide fresh water to the farm for freshwater crocodiles. Freshwater crocodiles are more accessible to farm than seawater crocodiles due to the availability of water especially in higher elevations far from the sea.

Once the infrastructure is in place, you need to acquire crocodiles. Eggs can be collected from wild nests, or hatchlings can be purchased from other farms. It is vital to source your crocodiles from a reputable breeder to ensure they are healthy and disease-free.

Once your crocodiles are on the farm, it is essential to monitor their health closely. This includes regular check-ups by a veterinarian and monitoring of food sources for contaminants. Crocodiles are susceptible to various diseases and parasites, so good husbandry practices are essential for keeping them healthy.

Crocodile farming can be a profitable business if done correctly. Your farm can provide eggs, meat, and skins for many years with proper care and management.

Feeding and Caring for Crocodiles

Feeding and caring for crocodiles is not as difficult as one might think. There are a few key things to remember when feeding and caring for these animals. First, it is important to remember that crocodiles are carnivores and need a diet mostly of meat. Second, it is vital to provide them with a large enough enclosure so that they can move around and exercise. Third, keeping the enclosure clean and free of debris is important.

Regarding feeding time, it is best to offer the crocodiles live prey if possible. If live prey is not available, frozen or thawed meat can be offered instead. It is important to chop the meat into small pieces so that the crocodiles can easily eat it. The food should be placed in the enclosure so that the crocodiles have to work a bit to get to it. This will help them stay active and healthy.

Regarding care, it is essential to keep the enclosure clean and free of debris. The water should be changed regularly, and filtration systems should be used to keep it clean. Crocodiles also need access to basking areas to warm themselves in the sun. Basking areas can be created by placing rocks or logs in the enclosure. It is also important to provide hiding places for the crocodiles so that they feel safe and secure.

Breeding Techniques on a Farm

Crocodile farming is a complex and regulated industry. Farmers must adhere to strict breeding techniques to ensure a healthy and thriving population of crocodiles.

There are two main methods of breeding crocodiles on a farm: natural mating and artificial insemination. Natural mating is the process of allowing male and female crocodiles to mate naturally in the wild. This method is considered the most efficient way to produce healthy offspring.

Artificial insemination is the process of injecting sperm into the female’s reproductive tract using a syringe. This method is less efficient than natural mating, but it allows for more control over the offspring’s genetic makeup.

Once the eggs have been fertilized, they are incubated in a temperature-controlled environment until they hatch. After hatching, the baby crocodiles are placed in pens or pools where they live until they are large enough to be sold.

Potential Challenges with Crocodile Farming

Crocodile farming is not without its challenges. For one, crocodiles are highly sensitive to temperature and water quality changes. This means that farmers must be vigilant in monitoring both the external environment and the internal conditions of their crocodile farms.

Crocodiles are dangerous animals, so keeping workers safe at all times is one of the biggest challenges in crocodile farming. Safety must be considered during the design and construction of the crocodile pen or enclosure.

Another challenge faced by crocodile farmers is the high cost of feed. Crocodiles are predators and require a diet rich in protein, which can be expensive for farmers, especially compared to the cost of feed for other farm animals.

Finally, crocodiles are also susceptible to diseases, which can be difficult to treat, given their sensitivity to temperature and water quality changes. This can lead to significant losses for farmers if their animals become sick.

Questions Related to Crocodile Farming

Can you raise a crocodile?

If your purpose is to turn a crocodile into a pet, don’t try. but if your purpose is to raise it and slaughter it later, yes, crocodiles can be farmed.

Can crocodiles regrow?

Tail regeneration has been extensively studied in lepidosaurs, but there have been published reports that modern crocodilians (alligators, caimans, crocodiles, and gharials) are also capable of tail regrowth. The regrowth process is considered to be slow and occurs over many months.

Are crocodiles captive-farmed?

Farms either breed crocodiles or can “harvest” them from the wild as eggs, juveniles or adults; the animals are referred to as “ranched” and will spend at least some proportion of their time in captivity.

Can crocodiles bond with humans?

In rare cases, individual crocodilians have been known to bond so strongly with people that they become playmates for years. For example, a man who rescued a crocodile shot in the head became close friends with the animal.

Are crocodiles friendly to their owners?

They will generally show trust in them and limit their aggressive behavior. We see this often in our reptiles, especially regarding food. These animals recognize who feeds them most often and anxiously await that person.

Can crocodiles be domesticated?

Crocodiles are extremely unpredictable animals, which is not stressed enough by pet stores. Crocodiles cannot be tamed, and they, indeed, cannot be domesticated. Crocodiles can be target trained, and pet stores and owners can take responsibility for this training.

How profitable is crocodile farming?

The commercial crocodile farming business is part of a complex industry. It is very profitable but requires a large initial investment of 3 to 4 years. You have to spend a lot of money before the crocodiles are grown enough and suitable for selling their hides or meat in international markets.

Is crocodile meat legal in the Philippines?

The Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said they allow the slaughtering and eating of crocodiles as long as they are farm-bred and not from the wild. Some likened its meat to roasted chicken because it’s white.

Can you farm crocodiles?

Crocodiles are farmed in the Philippines, with farms located in Davao, Batangas, Palawan, and other provinces. Outside the Philippines, in Queensland, Australia, for example, due to regressive government policy, crocodiles are primarily farmed through captive breeding. Captive breeding involves keeping adult stock on the farm for the production of offspring raised for commercial production, the same as with chickens and cattle.

How much is crocodile meat in the Philippines?

A kilo of uncooked crocodile meat costs between P500 and P700, while lechon crocodile costs between P1,000 and P1,300. The price varies depending on location and availability.

Why do people farm crocodiles?

Crocodiles are farmed for their meat and hide (skin) to make leather. Once a crocodile reaches the desirable length, it is slaughtered and processed, and its skin is used for non-essential luxury items such as handbags, shoes, and belts. Crocodile meat is also used in restaurants and as pet food.

Is crocodile farming ethical?

In other countries, the crocodile farming industry is considered grotesque and inherently cruel, where wild animals are denied wildlife or the freedom to exhibit their natural behaviors. This is not considered unethical in the Philippines, Australia, and other countries where crocodile farming is legal.

How long do crocodiles take to grow?

Philippine farmed crocodiles can reach slaughter ages in just under three years, but other species in the wild can take 15 years to reach maturity.

Is eating crocodiles healthy?

Well, crocodile meat is lean. It is low in fat and protein, making it a healthy choice for meat lovers. It can be used in several recipes. We use no chemicals in farming, so meat should be safe for human consumption.

What country has the largest crocodile farm?

Located on the city’s outskirts, Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm in Thailand is the biggest farm in the world as the home for the deadly crocs. According to figures from the Thai Department of Fisheries, some 1.2 million crocodiles are kept on more than 1,000 farms in Thailand.

What do farmed crocodiles eat?

Crocodiles eat insects, fish, small frogs, lizards, crustaceans, and small mammals in the wild. In captivity, crocodiles are not fed chicken or beef only. Food needs to be chopped to a size that is easy to eat. Live food, such as fish and insects, can be placed in the water to encourage the crocodile to hunt.

Conclusion

Crocodile farming is a lucrative business that can positively impact the local community, the environment, and even global economies. It takes hard work to ensure that crocodiles are properly cared for to get the best results from their products. With proper planning and care, anyone interested in this type of farming can make it successful. We hope our guide has helped you understand more about how to grow and care for crocodiles so that you can start your venture down this rewarding path.