Darwin Crocodiles Become the Next Australian Pet
Sunday February 15, 2009
Crocodiles bred in Darwin are being sold as pets in other areas of Australia, and depending on some state's regulations, regardless of size.
The crocodiles come from Darwin's Crocodylus Park and have recently been transported down to South Australia and Victoria to become households' pets.
The two states are the most popular places for pet crocodiles because of differing legal requirements across the country, said Charlie Manolis, chief scientist at Darwin's Crocodylus Park on Northern Territory News Online.
South Australian owners are able to own a Darwin crocodile no matter what size it is.
Gavin Foreman, Adelaide pet store owner of Scales and Tails, who has sold freshwater crocodiles from Darwin for over a decade, has watched the demand increase.
"I used to keep four or five in the store's showroom but now I order them in on demand due to space limitations," he told Northern Territory News.
