Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am wondering about the correct placement of MicroChips in Crocodilians, anyone here have experiance or factual knowledge?

I have read that for crocodilians the microchip implant should be placed subcutaneously anterior to the nuchal cluster. I am not a VET but as I understand this, the microchip would be placed just underneath the skin in front of the nuchal cluster (as shown in the below picture).

Would appreciate information on this subject

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Hi Donny,

I'd love to help you here fella but I've never put a chip inside a crocodile. From what I know from others though there are several acceptable locations and you have named one of them.

On a related note I would love to find a GPS device that can be inserted/attached to the crocodiles as a fail safe in the event of me leaving a gate open or a natural event(read hurricane).

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

Hi Cris,
This would great!! GPS microchiping is not possible, not at this time anyway. You might be able to rig up neck collars or leg collars but these are bulky, plus you will im sure have issues with keeping the equipment dry and water tight, also power supply would be a problem (it would be a pain to have to change batteries)

I recall Adam Britton doing some work years back, where he was using GPS neck collars to trace movements of problem crocodiles, as I recall these were pretty big/bulky units.

There is a company called VeriChip that is working on GPS chips but the problem they are having is supplying a lasting power supply and long range antenna reception.

Hey, on another note ... I saw the picture of you on that baseball training field, LOL. There is some talk of South FL caiman "expedition" in a month or 2, can do that in the day and check out South Beach at night. Email me .....

Donny,

I assume you are referring to the PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder) tag. If so, yes, the best location is actually under one of the nuchal cluster osteoderms, as that area flexes minimally and is well armored. Be sure to clean the surface of the injection area with alcohol.

Below are a couple of general information resources. They refer to reptiles in general or to fish, but there is plenty of information on the tags.

http://www.dnr.ohio.gov/wildlife/PDF/PITtagging10_04.pdf

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/springfield/PIT_tag_Marking_Procedures_Manual.pdf
Link

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Israel Dupont
Winter Haven, FL

The crocodile is amazing.... My favorite species, very nice animal wonderfull looking. Is it yours?