Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Keepers willing to help some one that wants to be a croc keeper
I live in the UK I am having problems finding keepers that are willing to help a new
Keeper over here we need to have a D.W.A (dangerous wild animal license) to keep a any crocodilian but the problem I am having is getting any to help with setting up my
Enclosure and just general info on keeping them I have been tolled to keep away from caiman and try and get a Chinese Alligator or a dwarf crocodile as they are better to keep. I just cannot understand why people in the UK and Europe are not willing to help someone new to keeping crocs we all need to start some were……

Just like here in the states, people's motives for wanting to be a croc keeper usually aren't justified. As far as a chinese alligator is concerned....good luck! Dwarf crocodiles are much easier to obtain and yes can be relatively calm in disposition. Usually the husbandry alone for most people is hard for them to accomplish. As im sure you know, crocodilians are not golden retrievers, they are predators. What reptiles have you owned inthe past? My mistake at first was purchasing an alligator as my first reptile. After realizing my mistake and how much different their care was compared to that of the pet store method, I quickly had to alter my care or simply give up the animal. I actually grew a love for these animals and this love has yet to even come close to dying.

People in this forum will give you advice and so forth. Don't expect people to tell you how to take care of your animal from A-Z. All of us in this forum have done a ton of research on top of our experience. Reading, and watching as many National Geographic movies as possible will be your best friend. If you know of another croc keeper near your location, contact them and see if they would be willing to let you help them with their animal on occasion. A sort of internship woudl be good for you. I had been recommended by Israel Dupont (Frequents this forum), to read alot of books and watch several videos in which he provided me some titles.

A.)Videos
1.) Supercroc (N.G)
2.) Last feast of the crocodiles (N.G.)
3.) Crocodiles: Here be dragons (N.G.)
4.) Predators of the wild: Crocodiles and Alligators
5.) Wildlife Stories: Crocodiles and snakes
6.) Attack!: Man-eaters, sharks/crocodiles

also any series that you can get on "The Crocodile Hunter", would be good on teaching you WHAT NOT TO DO! (Thanks Izzy).

B.) Books
1.)The Alligator's Life History
2.)Alligators: Prehistoric presence in the American landscape
3.)Handbook of alligators and crocodiles
4.)Eyelids of Morning: The mingled destiny's of crocodiles and men.
5.)The color atlas of diseases of the crocodile
6.)Crocodiles inside out: A guide to the crocodiles and their functional morphology
7.)Crocodiles: Biology, Husbandry, and diseases

There are quite a few more but that will get you started.

One of the best ways to get answers on things are to simply educate yourself with research. If you expect people to sit back and give you a play by play on how to care of your croc, then you are sadly mistaken (not saying this is what you are doing). Many people do this and this is the problem with so many people owning these animals. people purchase them and THEN want to know how to take care of it. I admire that you are pursuing this in a manner of trying to get your knowledge ahead of time. Dont' push it because you will get it soon enough.

Hope this helps,
chris

P.S. If you have any questions, feel free to email me.