Detailed Introduction to Ecological Crocodile Farming Methods

According to the living habits of crocodiles, building a good crocodile breeding pond is the key to successful rearing. Controlling the pond water temperature well, maintaining good water quality and environmental hygiene, and paying attention to timely disease prevention and treatment are the basic conditions for ensuring increased production, income and efficiency in crocodile farming.

Ecological breeding ponds are usually divided into two types: cement ponds and earthen ponds.

Ecological breeding ponds should be located in areas far from factories and urban residential areas, with good water quality, fertile and pollution-free soil, and convenient for implementing safety management measures.

Crocodiles are not cold-tolerant, and the most suitable temperature for their growth is 28℃~34℃. When the water temperature drops to 15℃, they stop moving; when it drops to  0℃, they die. In cold winter weather, antifreeze and warmth measures should be taken to keep the water temperature of the crocodile pond above  0℃, ensuring the crocodiles safely overwinter.

1. A 1-meter-high wall must be set around the breeding pond to prevent crocodiles from escaping and unauthorized persons from entering.

For cement pond farming, the pond area is generally about 250 sq m, and the water depth is generally 1~1.5 m. The pond has a reliable water supply and drainage system, making it convenient to discharge dirty water from the pond and inject fresh water.

For earthen pond farming, each pond covers an area of 1~2 mu, with a flat pond bottom, silt ≤20 cm, and water depth of 1~1.5 m. The ratio of water surface to land area in the pond is about 1:1. Weeds and trees are planted on the exposed land to simulate a swamp environment, which is conducive to crocodile growth.

Practice has proved that the growth rate and survival rate of crocodiles raised in earthen ponds are higher than those in cement ponds, feed costs are reduced, and the benefits are good. If conditions permit, earthen pond farming is preferable.

Since the breeding pond cannot be drained and refilled every day, in order to keep the pond water clean and hygienic, a pond of any shape is built on one side of the pond as a feeding place. The feeding pond should be cleaned frequently to prevent leftover food from polluting the entire breeding pond.

2. Stocking density: 200~300 crocodiles per mu.