Crocodile farms - crocodile leather, where does it come from?

The commercial breeding and farming of crocodiles have come into existence due to the demand for good quality crocodile leather. At the same time, it is a way of conserving the crocodile so as not to become extinct. Farming of crocodiles has the main objective for producing leather and the second is for meat. The crocodile meat industry is a very profitable export industry with demand coming mostly from China and the rest distributed among the Asian countries. Thailand exports crocodile meat to China as it is considered it a delicacy. Some think of it as high class dining.

There are many crocodile farms. Some located in the U.S. such as in the state of Florida, some in Australia and some in Thailand. The ones located in Thailand are being promoted as tourists attractions, with crocodile stunt shows shown daily.

Because the main objective is leather, farms do everything to protect the skin of the crocodile in every way. Starting from hatchlings, young crocodiles, adulthood, harvest, and skin processing. The question comes to mind: how hard is it to farm crocodiles?

Farming for crocodile leather

Crocodile farms are required to have good access to water and power. Zoning laws are strictly observed, too. Hygiene is very important for good healthy crocodiles. Sick crocodiles do not make good crocodile meat or leather. Pens are to be cleaned and drained on a regular basis. Waste water treatment is a requirement, what with all the cleaning and draining happening on a regular basis. Special mention for those who construct pens out of clay; the clay pen should have a base that is impervious to water to prevent seeping.

Crocodile farming starts from hatching eggs. Temperature must be 32°C. Hatchlings are be fed red meat and chicken heads. Vitamins and minerals are included. Hatchlings are kept indoors, in pens.

Starting from day one, hygiene is important as they are susceptible to diseases. Water temperature is controlled (30°C to 32°C). They must have ample access to water. They also need access to dry land. Pens should be drained and cleaned regularly.

If a crocodile becomes sick they are given antibiotics or antibacterial medication, sometimes both. Expert veterinary supervision is a requirement and the medication are acquired by prescription.

Young crocodiles (also called "growers") are mostly housed outdoors as they rely on natural climatic conditions. The pens are comprised mainly of single water and land areas. The water should be shallow, say 150 to 300 millimeters. Sub-adults and adults (4 years and above) are housed in deeper, large, open ponds. They are kept in groups of one male to several females (preferred). A one-to-one mating system is also used.

Harvest of crocodile leather

Harvest begins by inspection for size and skin condition. The crocodile can either be caught and transferred to a holding pen or harvest immediately in the pen. Putting the crocodile in a holding pen helps reduce stress and disturbance on fellow pen-mates.

The crocodiles should be not be fed for two days before harvesting and then are slaughtered humanely. A .22 caliber bullet shot to the top of the neck is used to destroy the brain. Then the spinal cord and main artery are cut to bleed the animal. Take care to swab the area with sanitizer/detergent to prevent spoilage.

After bleeding, the whole carcass should be scrubbed with a sanitizing agent. Soaked cotton balls of sanitizing agent plug the cloacae (waste exit of the crocodile) to prevent leakage.

Breeds of crocodiles

The particular crocodile that is used for the exotic leather products from Thailand is not of a single particular breed or specie. It is a cross breed of the specie Crocodylus siamensis (known as the "Siamese crocodile") and the Crocodylus porosus ("saltwater crocodile"). The purpose of cross-breeding is to achieve the quality crocodile hide while somehow reducing the aggressive temperament. This is the intention of crocodile breeders here in Thailand.

Because of commercial farming of the crocodile, the crocodile population is many. One particular farm boasts of 60,000 crocodiles. This farm is the Crocodile Farm, located in Samut Prakan province of Thailand.