Damstadt – Great success for the Darmstadt zoo “Vivarium”: Eight rare stump crocodiles have now hatched there.
The species actually comes from Central and West Africa and is considered threatened, which is why it was named “Zoo Animal of the Year 2021”. In their homeland, crocodiles live in pools, swamps or rainforest areas with slowly flowing rivers or streams.
The nocturnal animals therefore spend most of the day in often self-made caves or under tree stumps, then go hunting toads or fishing at night. They owe their name to their short snout.
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The offspring is a small sensation for Darmstadt. In 2013 there were already two boys, but one soon died. The survivor was then given to Switzerland.
The parents of the litter are mother “Greta”, who hatched in 2004 and has lived in Darmstadt since 2016, and father “Chopra”, who has even been at the zoo for 51 years. And nobody knows how old he really is. After all, crocodiles can live up to 75 years.
Sponsorship costs 250 euros
The eight little ones (each about 20 cm tall) now come from a clutch of twelve eggs, four of which did not hatch. Keepers had discovered the clutch in the water, which put the eggs in several incubators. So that there are sure to be offspring, even if one fails.
There were eight mini crocuses in the end. They are first fed small insects such as grasshoppers or house crickets and fish. “Later they get food animals like the adult specimens”, explains Heidrun Thinius (57), head of animal care: “These are, for example, rats, guinea pigs or fish.”
The eight cute Koko-Kids can already be seen by guests of the Vivarum – in a terrarium in the aquarium hall of the zoo (admission 7, children 2 euros). But first behind a barrier: “You have to get used to visitors first. She would be stressed if someone knocked on the window, ”says Ms. Thinius.
This handful of crocodile is first fed insects
The Darmstadt residents attribute their breeding success to the renovation of the parent enclosure two years ago, where the water level in their basin was increased to 95 cm. Which apparently made the pairing easier.
Certainly now: Your parents “Greta” and “Chopra” will not get to know the crocodile babies in their enclosure (180 m²). If they are big enough, they are given to other zoos for further breeding – for which there is even a kind of dating site for the zoos, which animal goes best with which other.
By the way, if you like, you can sponsor one of the crocodile kiddies and even give it a name. Costs 250 euros a year.