Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was just browsing the web, planning our family vacation and thought we might hit Parrot Island Jungle in Miami this year. While checking their site, I couldn't find anything on "Hank the Crocosaurus". On doing a search for Hank discovered he passed in August of 09. Anybody know anything about it?

Really, wow .. what a shame!! I thought this croc was larger than the one at Alligator Adventure, the breeder has more than a hundred this size and many that are much larger ... hard to get into the USA now and very expensive to buy and ship.

Back in 2006 I along with a few friends were in Miami with intent to take possession of this crocodile. Steming from a trade deal that hadnt worked out quit as planned but thankfully everything settled before it came to that.

But, if we had to take the croc what were we going to do with such a large animal, spend a fortune freighting it back to Thailand? one proposed option was it to bring it to Michigan, lol ... if that would have happen you would have gotten a call Joe
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Great Lakes Zoological

I would have found a way to house that big boy, lol.

Where at in Michigan are you?
I'm downriver Wyandotte/Taylor area.

I know you would have!

I told Uthen (the original owner) that there was no way I could house that huge croc here at my nor my partners facilities, he laughed and said dont worry just take it home and it will make room for it self by eating everything in its way, lol

It was fantastic watching him "play" with this crocodile in Miami, everytime the crocodile would start to lung at him he would slap it on the nose ... amazing watching this stuff when your dealing with such a large crocodile thats so intimidating.

I'm just outside of SE Detroit, we do most of the croc stuff at a partners place in E China near Richmond/Marine city area.

Its funny if you think about it, MI is not exactly the best place for croc's but a lot of the veteran croc keepers so to speak are from MI, even Uthen although he just went to school here.
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Great Lakes Zoological

I remember that well as Uthen contacted me before arrival . He then came to my house to discuss the situation and talked to me also about housing. I said since I no longer had a croc farm it could become problematical as my bathtub was only big enough for his head to fit in...LOL
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

LOL! Yes indeed, thats back when we visted with you at the store ... I didnt even know if you knew the complete game plan or not but it would have Uthen, You, Joe and I that moved that crocodile! What fun that would have been.
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Great Lakes Zoological

I would like to have gotten some time with that croc. Man what a beautiful animal. If you have a situation like that again, feel free to contact me. I can get access to a facility to keep a biggie like that. Or if you just need help with the pick and transportation let me know. I have a trailer and crates for animals up to 14 foot and can get em even bigger as needed.

Side note:
Tom what is your take on catch boxes for venomous snakes? I hae been asked this from several animal control officers and have no personal experience with them. I've always taken the hands on (not literally but with hooks or tongs) approach.

I would just pick the snake up by tailing it on a hook, bagging it, and I have a special venomous lock box I use to transport them in...thanks
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

Well I used hide boxes for captive intake.

What I am referring to are the boxes they set out and trap the sankes with.

I have never used them. I don't know anyone who has.

Currently I only have my Naja Naja Naja