Reptile & Amphibian Forums

As I am sure most of you have watched Steve Irwin and various other "Croc Wranglers" out there. How is it determined whether the rope with go over top or bottom jaw? From time to time you hear Good Ol' Steve mention a bottom jaw rope (most common is the top jaw rope though). Sooo, I am rather confused. Is there a more appropriate moment for a bottom jaw rope as opposed to top jaw?

It only seems to me that the top jaw would be the best option considering its an extention to the skull as where the bottom jaw in crocodilians is stand alone and seems like it could be much easier damaged.

In American Alligator handling, I have seen catchpoles be used around their necks at St. Augustine. Is this the preferred method for alligators? Gator teeth aren't as long as say...a Nile crocs. A top jaw rope might seem more appropriate to a Nile or Salty, but an alligator most likely wouldn't be the best option for that.

Just throwing out my thoughts. Anybody have any other insight to this?

Thanks,

Chris
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Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

Chris,

The crocodilian handler you mentioned in your post handles primarily Crocodylus porosus, which is a species notorious for slipping out of ropes singly binding both jaws, as opposed to the double rope procedure. Yes, I would say that securing the top jaw alone gives better control over the crocodilian of any species if you only want to secure one jaw, due to the skeletal structure, but beware that this used alone may damage the jaws, including the teeth. Scraping the alveoli, the jaw lengths where the teeth sit, can cause long-lasting health problems to that area.

The larger, more dangerous crocs with acutely triangulated snouts - like C. porosus - are sometimes best captured with two jaw ropes, one per mandible. A third rope may be slipped on the jaws, which does make the capture more complicated. Often a croc will roll, binding the two ropes around the jaws, which is helpful (Be sure to hve plenty of length of rope). This raises the issue of stress, which must be minimized during capture. So this subject is bigger than what I can write at the moment...

I have read that the London Zoo uses a canvas funnel-shaped device that is slipped over the snout and then lashed with a rope, though I would think that this might be a bit more difficult to slide over the snout of a wary crocodilian. I'd like to find out more about it, though.

Restraining the neck of adult specimens, say, over 150 pounds or so, is important too, as it gives added control. Care should be taken in this, though, so as to avoid choking the animal. It helps to slip the neck noose over one of the front legs to avoid choking.

These are just some thoughts. Every animal, every situation, and every handler/handling team is different.

Izzy
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Israel Dupont
Winter Haven, FL

I would certainly like to learn more about this. I dont suppose that there are any websites, videos, books,etc. that would cover these procedures would you? I certainly think that this is something that should be considered by EVERY crocodilian keeper. Eventually, there will be a time when capturing them will be necessary and of course you will want to prevent stress and injury to your croc.

Thanks for the info Izzy!

Chris
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Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative