Study On Breeding And Nursing Of Crocodile

Abstract

The study on crocodile breeding and nursing was conducted in Chandpai Point of the Sundarban from 07 January, 2006 to 30 June, 2007. It was aimed to know the breeding, rearing and nursing system of a crocodile. Data was collected through field study and from the record book of Forest Department. Brood crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) was reared in a pond (1.7 ha.) with wide vegetated dike and pond was enclosed with 5 ft. high concrete wall. Outdoor cemented tanks were made for the nursing of hatchlings and yearlings. Fast growing fish species namely, tilapia, silver carp, mrigal were stocked 6 months prior to the stocking of brood crocodile. The number of brood crocodile in the pond was 8 (7 male and 1 female). Breeding season of Crocodylus porosus was found from March to June. Fecundity and hatching rate was depended on the age of brood. Fecundity was found 2, 18, 23, 26 and 38 at the age of 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 years, respectively. Egg hatching rate was found 0, 0, 4.30, 11.50 and 28.90% for the age of 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, respectively. Zero to three month aged hatchling was fed supplementary feed made of Australia. The dose of feed for the age of 1, 2, 3 and 4 years was 10, 12, 12 and 15% of the body weight, respectively and the frequency was 6, 3, 2 and 1 day/week, respectively. Hatchling growth rate was found 2.78 g/day and 16.11 g/day in first six month and next six month, respectively. Survival rate was found 76.66, 93.33, 100, and 100% at the age of 1, 2, 3 and 4 years, respectively. The study concludes that to conserve the crocodile and also to introduce culture practice, it is necessary to improve the breeding and nursing technique.