Keeping crocodiles as pets

You need a permit to keep a crocodile in the Northern Territory (NT) as they are protected wildlife.

This is an information guide on keeping crocodiles as pets in the NT.

Crocodiles can be very dangerous. There are guidelines you must follow if you want to keep a crocodile in the Northern Territory (NT).

There are two species of crocodiles that may be kept as pets - saltwater crocodiles and freshwater crocodiles. Both need similar conditions in captivity.

To keep a crocodile you must get a permit to keep protected wildlife. 

You must keep the crocodile in an enclosure that follows the housing crocodiles guidelines.

In urban areas, you can only keep a crocodile that is less than 60cm long. 

You will only get a permit to keep a crocodile over 60cm in some rural areas if you have a large space, there is no threat to the public and you have a senior first aid certificate. 

You must keep a trauma kit in case of emergency.

You must have different permits if you want to import or export crocodiles from the NT or if you want to interfere or take a crocodile from the wild.

Water and land

Crocodiles need a pool of water that is large and deep enough for the animal to submerge. 

Between 60% and 75% of the bottom of the tank or enclosure should be water.

There must be enough dry ground so the animal can exit the water to bask itself and turn around comfortably.

The land should be a large with flat rock, stones, or pebbles.

Water polluted by waste and uneaten food will affect the health of the crocodile. You need to provide a waste discharge area that is able to handle all such discharge.

Enclosure temperature

Crocodiles need sun and shade to regulate their body temperature both in the pool and on land. 

Shade is very important as crocodiles can burn or overheat. 

Young crocodiles particularly need shelter. You can use a piece of wood or plastic over the land or water for this.

Water temperatures must be kept between 26°C and 29°C. At night the water heater should be left on.

Air temperatures for crocodiles range between 29°C and 33°C. You should make sure these conditions are set before putting the crocodile in the enclosure.

Keeping crocodiles over 60cm

In addition to the requirements listed above, the enclosure for a crocodile over 60cm must be made to follow all of these guidelines:

• fence perimeter must be 50mm to 1800mm chain mesh concreted into the ground 300mm deep
• fence posts should be set in concrete that is 900mm deep
• top of the fence should be three strands of barbed wire
• gate into the enclosure should be chained mesh and self-closing, it should open inwards and be fitted with a padlock
• concrete barrier under the chain mesh needs to continue under the gate.

To keep your crocodile healthy you must give it the right food and water. 

In the wild, crocodiles eat insects, fish, small frogs, lizards, crustaceans and small mammals. 

In captivity, do not feed crocodiles chicken or beef only.

Food needs to be chopped to a size that is easy to eat.

Live food, such as fish and insects, can be placed in the water to encourage the crocodile to hunt.

New crocodiles may not eat when first put in the enclosure. They should begin eating with the right temperature and low stress conditions.

Crocodiles eat stones in the wild to help with digestion. They will eat them in captivity if stones are in the enclosure. 

You do not need to offer stones as part of the crocodile's diet, as they will eat them if needed.

Uneaten food needs to be removed within 24 hours to stop it decomposing.

Feeding young crocodiles

Young crocodiles need to be fed once or three times per week. 

The food should weigh around 5% of their body weight. 

You can add vitamin supplements to their diets for more benefit. This is not as important if the crocodile is receiving whole prey.

Crocodiles do not like to be handled. 

While crocodiles will get used to regular handling, you should always be on guard when handling a crocodile.

Always handle young crocodiles gently.

Try to give new crocodiles several weeks to settle into the enclosure before handling them.

The best way to hold a crocodile is with a firm grip around the neck, and your other hand under the body. 

Larger crocodiles may need this second hand to support the base of the tail.

An elastic band can be placed around the snout of the crocodile to make sure it doesn't bite. 

Approach the crocodile from behind and close the jaws at this angle before fitting the band. 

Always remove the band when you return the animal to its enclosure.