Safer Handling

Don´t even consider purchasing a crocodilian as a pet unless you have sufficient time, space and safety tools to deal with them when they reach adult size. A crocodilian under 11´ can be safely handled using a snout rope, which is a tight noose around the jaws placed either by a snout pole (a hollow pipe with the rope running through it, the noose on one end) or thrown by a lasso. Additional ropes may be secured around the midbody (behind one or both forelegs) if the animal needs to be moved. The eyes should be covered with a towel or shirt and taped to keep the animal calm. For short distance moves (just out of the pool) they can be dragged; moderate distance moves (across park grounds) may require the animal be placed on a board and the board dragged by a motor vehicle. To get the animals into the back of a truck, a ramp may be used and the animal "walked" up it, dragged from the front by ropes and pushed from the back by handlers bearing the weight of the tail. Don´t try this at home. You need an experienced team of handlers to work with an adult crocodilian.