Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A bit of research done supports the theory, that the biggest crocs are raised using the following:
Most crocodilians grow at the quickest rate when they are younger. This means that crocs that grow huge overall are fed more than normal and have higher tempetures causing them to grow quicker. Resulting in the croc getting larger over its lifetime since it grows faster during its younger years. Genetics aslo play a factor in this. Also note overfeeding is unhealthy in the wrong run.

I have heard of 5 meter animals in 7 years, kept hot all year round and constant supply of food (as much as the croc will consume) .... this is typical practise at croc/gator farms

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But, is this harmful for the health of the aniamals?

It goes both ways if done correctly it has little or no ill effect on the animal but done incorectly it can be harmfull

I have never heard of a case of rapid growth development, never being done wrong. Power feeding is one of the soul reasons for their rapid growth. When the animals are kept in really high temperatures, the animal's metabolic rate is much faster. Therefore, in order to keep the animal from being too thin, they have to keep a steady supply of food. From what I understand, beyond water, these animals don't really have an appropriate way to thermoregulate and they furthermore, don't get a break due to the season's change. In my opinion, this practice should not be used, but it is accepted simply because the animals raised in these conditions are primarily for slaughter and sale.

Chris

>>It goes both ways if done correctly it has little or no ill effect on the animal but done incorectly it can be harmfull
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My Website
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I wasn't planning on trying it more of just info I was throwing out there....Best wishes

I'm not sure I totally agree with your post above Chris. It is interesting to discuss these ideas but also to remember that the animals grow so well because they are in OPTIMUM conditions for growth. I dislike the term 'power feed' simply because I don't know what it means. Does it mean feeding an animal properly and often? If so I think that is how it should be done. Does it mean overfeed a young crocodilian? I'm not sure that is possible with a fast growing properly kept animal simply as you mentioned below they put it into healthy growth.

CDieter
Crocs:-)

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CDieter
'Reason, observation, and experience; the holy trinity of science.'

This is an interesting topic indeed, alligator farming has proved to be valuble resource for alligators as a species.
I would think that they also provide a fair about of infromatoin on them as well.

You could very well be correct Chris. It just seems to me that the term "Optimum" might not be used properly when speaking about alligator farms and the like. In my opinion, "optimum" conditions would be conditions imitating the animals natural world (at least as far as food intake and temperature/thermoregulation abilities are concerned). The rate at which crocodilians for slaughter grow in captivity, is quite beyond what they typically do in the wild, thus, I feel that their rearing is becoming more..."humanized"? In my personal opinion (and only my opinion) when an animal grows differently compared to what it would in the wild...it is no longer naturalistic development for the animal. I have read that "power feeding" (by definition: Feeding beyond the recommended quantity as determined for a specific animal) is unhealthy. Of course, since the animal is no longer in a "natural environment" anyways..then this could change things a little.

Interesting conversation topic if anything!

Take care,

Chris

>>I'm not sure I totally agree with your post above Chris. It is interesting to discuss these ideas but also to remember that the animals grow so well because they are in OPTIMUM conditions for growth. I dislike the term 'power feed' simply because I don't know what it means. Does it mean feeding an animal properly and often? If so I think that is how it should be done. Does it mean overfeed a young crocodilian? I'm not sure that is possible with a fast growing properly kept animal simply as you mentioned below they put it into healthy growth.
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>>CDieter
>>Crocs
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>>CDieter
>>'Reason, observation, and experience; the holy trinity of science.'
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My Website
www.herpfanatic.com

>>You could very well be correct Chris. It just seems to me that the term "Optimum" might not be used properly when speaking about alligator farms and the like. In my opinion, "optimum" conditions would be conditions imitating the animals natural world (at least as far as food intake and temperature/thermoregulation abilities are concerned). The rate at which crocodilians for slaughter grow in captivity, is quite beyond what they typically do in the wild, thus, I feel that their rearing is becoming more..."humanized"? >

I think you have this exactly backwards. The rate they grow in captivity is the rate the would grow in the wild IF they had perfect conditions all the time. The slower rate of growth in the wild is more of a result of them surviving environments where things aren't so perfect all the time.

? Of course it is, the animal is just performing as it would if all the conditions where perfect. Wild means brutal and most often short lived. Natural is anything the animal is capable of doing. It's not unnatural for an animal to grow well in perfect conditions, it would be unnatural for it not to do so.

< I have read that "power feeding" (by definition: Feeding beyond the recommended quantity as determined for a specific animal) is unhealthy. Of course, since the animal is no longer in a "natural environment" anyways..then this could change things a little. >

I'm not sure I've ever seen a young crocodilian 'power fed'. They eat when they choose. They stop when they choose. You can make an adult obese if they are not active enough and feed food items with alot of calories. It's no different than people. They move, they stay in shape. They lay around they get plump.

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CDieter
'Reason, observation, and experience; the holy trinity of science.'

My understanding, and have personally observed this, is that the rapid growing can create serious health problems. In some farms, that I have seen, there seems to be a problem with the bones not being able to keep up with the rest of the body. I have observed mishapen, undersized, and injured jaws. Of course in the farming industry they don't care about things like this, since the animal isn't going to live long. For someone who plans on keeping the animal and allowing it to live out a "Normal" Captive life would want to avoid this. Personally I feel it is kind of like growth stunting, where the animal is under fed and kept in small enclosures.
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