Vegetarian Crocodiles? You Better Believe It!

1. What is unusual about the reptiles that live at Nyanyanya crocodile farm?

The Nyanyanya crocodile are unusual because they are 100% vegetarian and eat pellets made of protein concentrate, minerals, vitamins, maize meal and water has been good for the crocodiles. They have got softer skin to a normal crocodiles that eat meat because of the stuff in the pallets. They also spend a lot of their day sleeping. This makes it safer for the workers to clean their enclosures.

2.How did they turn this way?

In 2006, when Zimbabwe was undergoing an economic crises, the company found it hard to find affordable meat to feed the 164,000 crocodiles that were being raised in the farm. They started feeding the reptiles with pellets that were a mix of meat and vegetables. They noticing that the change in diet did not seem to change the reptile's growth, they gradually eliminated the meat completely so now they feed the crocodiles pellets with no meat.


3.What are the crocodiles being bred for?

The crocodiles are being bred for their skin and then sold to and  transformed into leather and made into handbags, shoes and belts.

4.Critical Thinking Challenge:

How do you feel about the crocodiles being bred for their skin? Is it different from breeding cows or chickens that are killed for meat? Why?

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

I don't like the idea of the crocodiles being bred for their skin because it's not right that they have to be killed and then made in to handbags, shoes and belts. If the crocodile was a still alive would you still wear it as a handbags or a belt or even a pair of shoes on your feet.

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

No it is no different from cows or chickens that are killed for meat. Yes we still can survive without meat but we eat meat  is so we can get iron and stay healthy. But killing crocodiles for their skin is not right just so some people can have a handbag made out of crocodile leather!