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Multicroc exhibits: hugs or bites?

Discussion in 'General Zoo Discussion' started by JigerofLemuria, 16 Apr 2016.

  1. JigerofLemuria

    JigerofLemuria Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    28 Jan 2016
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    Location:
    Barcelona
    For the last century, crocodilians have been kept successfully in zoological collections. There were some zoos, such as Berlin's zoo-aquarium and the Berlin Tierpark, that kept multiple species in one exhibit. These two zoos now keep their crocodilians in different enclosures. So my questions are:
    - Is it recommendable to keep certain crocodiles and alligators together?
    - Is it better for the public to see more than one crocodilian species in one enclosure?
    - Do any modern zoological collections practice that model?

    As of now, I believe that mild-mannered crocodilians could possibly be kept together. For example, I could see a mixed enclosure of spectacled caiman and Orinoco crocodile working fine. As for the public, it may be a hot enough idea; in different enclosures, many uncouth people just generalize, or don't care about what they are. But if two different-looking species lived in the same place, I think some questions would be raised, and they'd actually look at the sign.

    What are your thoughts? I'd like to know.
     
  2. vogelcommando

    vogelcommando Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    fijnaart, the netherlands
    I remember the many different crocs kept together at Artis Zoo ( Amsterdam - the Netherlands ) in the 1980-ties and it seemed to work well.
    However after that time many zoos reduced large crocodilian keeping and if they stayed in large crocodilian-keeping, mostly only one species was kept. As known, crocodilians can hybrinice qute easily and for conservation-breeding this is of course unwanted.
    Your idea of keeping 2 different species isn't that bad but then firstly the 2 species should be of the same size and secondly not closely releated for example a caiman with a crocodile species would work, at least in my opinion.