Perhaps one of the least aquatic forms of aquaculture involves the farming of crocodiles, alligators and caimans. These animals are referred to as semi-aquatic, and their husbandry is in some ways more similar to livestock production than to fish or shellfish farming.
Crocodilians are raised for their hides and meat in sub-tropical regions
The reptiles collectively referred to as crocodilians (order: Crocodylia) are found naturally in tropical and sub-tropical regions throughout the world. Altogether, there are some 27 species in three related families: the Crocodylidae, Alligatoridae and Gavialidae. It is believed that alligators and crocodiles diverged from a common ancestor some 80 to 100 million years ago, with the gavials splitting off sometime later. All crocodilid and aligatorid species are listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), but many are exported and imported throughout the world. Most are utilised for their leather products, but some are also raised for meat.
Farming and ranching efforts began for several crocodilian species in the 1950s in response to widespread declines in wild populations. Once the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) was established in the mid-1970s, interest in farming and ranching crocodilians increased in many countries.
Humans began farming efforts for several crocodilian species to address declining wild populations.
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