Vegetarian Crocodiles? You better believe it!

1. What is unusual about the reptiles that live at Nyanyana crocodile farm?
The Nyanyana crocodiles are unusual because they are vegetarian. This is very unusual because other crocodiles like the Australian Saltwater crocodiles eat meat and live in the wild and these crocodiles eat pellets that are made of protein concentrate, minerals, vitamins, maize meal and water. There skin is mellower and other crocodile skins are strong and hard and the Nyanyana are bred for there skin. Nyanyana crocodiles also sleep throw a great bulk of the day.

2. How did they turn this way?

In 2006 Zimbabwe went throw an economic crises and the company found it impossible to find affordable meat for all 16400 crocodiles that were being raised in the farm. Desperate they had to mix meat and vegetables together to make little pellets. After noticing the change in the crocodiles diet it did not seem to bother or discouraged the growth in the crocodiles. Then they gradually toke out the meat of the pellets and now they are completely vegetarian. They are now saving a lot more money.

3. What are the crocodiles being bred for?

The Nyanyana crocodiles are known for there mellower skin. That's because the reptiles are bred for their skin, which is sold to European tanneries where it is transformed into leather and sold to fashion houses like Hermes and Gucci to make expensive handbags, shoes and belts. I think personally that this is very cruel to the animal but then again people like that kind of thing and I don't so it really just depends on if you like crocodile skin or not.



Words I didn't understand ( then researched them )

• deter -  discourage (someone) from doing something by instilling doubt or fear of the consequences
• comprises - consist of; be made up
• mellower - pleasantly smooth or soft
• tanneries - a place where animal hides are tanned; the workshop of a tanner.

Critical Thinking Challenge 

How do you feel about the crocodiles being bred for their skin? 

I really don't like the idea of breeding for there skin because the crocodiles didn't do anything to deserve to get this done to them. I think that there is no difference for either there skin. They are living creatures and they have feeling to.

Is it different from breeding cows or chickens that are killed for meat?

Yes we all have to eat meat to stay strong but at least let them be free range so that they have a happy life instead of caged animals that never get to see light or go outside. Imagine if you never say the light or got to go outside in the sun and play on the playground or any of that, how would you feel?