Crocodilians

Metabolic bone disease

SignsSoft or deformed jaw, curved spine or tail, difficulty walking, poor growth in juveniles

PreventionWhole prey with bones (fish, mice) plus calcium supplement. UVB light daily, replaced on schedule

Vitamin B1 deficiency

SignsSeizures, unsteadiness and loss of appetite on a diet of mostly frozen fish

PreventionDo not rely on frozen fish alone; add whole mammal prey and vitamin supplements

Bacterial dermatitis

SignsRedness, ulcers and scale loss on the belly or between scales; worsens with poor water quality

PreventionChange and filter the water daily. Always provide a dry land area for basking

Respiratory infection

SignsMucus from the nose or mouth, open-mouth breathing, cannot float, lies motionless on land

PreventionPrevent drops in water and air temperature. Keep the water heated in winter

Parasites

SignsWeight loss, diarrhea, loss of appetite. Introduced from wild-caught animals or live food

PreventionFecal test at intake. Live fish carry parasites, so frozen food is the standard

Gout / kidney failure

SignsSwollen joints, dragging limbs, loss of appetite, long-term dehydration

PreventionAlways provide clean water; avoid an unbalanced high-protein diet and low temperatures

Thermal burns

PreventionWire guard and enough distance on the basking lamp. Measure the actual land-area temperature

First aidDiscolored back or belly means a burn. Do not cool; keep clean and see a vet. Poor water quality causes infection

Snout injury

PreventionThey charge glass and mesh. Screen the walls and do not startle the animal

First aidKeep the wound clean; see a vet for swelling or pus. Exposed teeth or jawbone: see a vet immediately

Bite wounds from fighting

PreventionGroup housing leads to fighting and cannibalism. House singly as a rule

First aidApply pressure to bleeding. Deep wounds need sutures. Keep water clean to prevent infection

Tooth / jaw injury

PreventionDo not let it bite hard food or metal tools. Use long tongs

First aidSee a vet for bleeding in the mouth or lost teeth. Same day if it cannot eat

Salmonellosis

RouteOral, via hands that touched feces, tank water or the body surface

PreventionWash hands after work. Never pour tank water down the kitchen sink. Keep children away

Bite wound infection

RouteOral bacteria enter through bite wounds

PreventionIf bitten, wash and always go to a hospital. Check for fractures and lacerations; antibiotics

Leptospirosis

RouteContact with contaminated water or urine

PreventionWork with gloves and boots. Do not touch the water with cut hands

Parasites (roundworms etc.)

RouteOral, via hands or water contaminated with feces

PreventionWash hands after cleaning. Regular fecal tests

Food

• Mainly whole frozen fish, mice and rats
• Juveniles 3–4 times a week; adults 1–2 times a week
• Add calcium and vitamins. Feed with long tongs

Water

• A pool deep enough to submerge the whole body. Filter and partial water changes daily
• Doubles as drinking water. Remove leftover food at once

Toys & play

• Feeding that makes it search for food in the water
• A pool with varied depth for swimming
• No stimulation needed. Prioritize a quiet environment

Nest, bed & hideout

• A dry land area and hide next to the pool
• A damp soil nesting area for species that lay eggs

Bedding & litter

• Land area in concrete or tile for easy cleaning
• No gravel in the pool; keep the bottom easy to wash
• Remove feces and leftovers daily; full water change regularly

Cage / housing material

Locked cage meeting permit standards; a robust combined land-and-water facility

Size & space

Follow Specified Animal standards. Pool and land area several times the total length

Layout

• Pool and land area adjoining, with basking on land
• Designed so feeding and cleaning are done from outside the cage
• Double doors with locks. Inward-angled lip to prevent escape

Placement notes

• Prefectural permit and regular inspections. Microchip required
• Consider the neighbors and set up a reporting system for escapes

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Walks and free roaming indoors are prohibited, both legally and for safety
• Let it exercise on its own in the pool inside the cage
• Always work in teams of two or more and confirm where the animal is

Temperature & humidity

TemperatureWater 26–30°C, air 28–32°C, basking spot around 35°C

Humidity60–80%. Always provide a dry land area

Summer & winter

• Summer: watch for rising water temperature and poor water quality. Increase water changes
• Winter: submersible heater and heat lamp. Have a plan for keeping warm during power outages

Nail trimming

No nail trimming needed; claws wear down naturally on a hard land area. If treatment is needed, a vet does it under anesthesia

Brushing, skin & coat care

Alternative: water quality management is the skin care. Observe the belly for ulcers and scale loss from outside at feeding time

Other care

Check the mouth, teeth and eyes from outside the cage. Regular veterinary checkups and weighing

Protection from predators

• Structure that keeps other pets and people away from the cage
• Cohabiting the same species leads to cannibalism. House singly
• No removal from the facility. Report any escape immediately

Foreign-body ingestion

Swallows tools, tongs and gloves along with food. Use long, sturdy feeding tools and count them after feeding

Being stepped on

Even a juvenile fractures if stepped on. Always know where the animal is while working; workers do not enter the cage

Getting pinched

Tail or limbs caught in a door fracture. Close the double doors in order and confirm the animal is away from the door

Falls

Dropping during transport fractures the jaw or limbs. Use a dedicated transport box and several people

Escape

An escape must be reported at once to the police and the prefectural government under the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals. Inspect the cage daily

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still, move bystanders away and call for help
2. Press on the eyes or snout tip to make it release
3. When the mouth opens, pull the bitten part out quickly
4. Get away from the animal and lock the cage

After the release

Apply pressure to stop bleeding at once and go to the emergency room. High risk of fractures, lacerations and infection; antibiotic treatment is mandatory

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Species, total length, weight, permit, water and air temperature, diet. Transport in a dedicated box with several people. Confirm in advance that the hospital will accept it

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Response to stimulus: touch the tail tip with a long pole
• Breathing: movement of the flanks or throat. Once every few tens of seconds is still normal
• Color inside the mouth: pink is normal. Pale or bluish is dangerous

Stopping bleeding

• Safety first. Never approach alone
• Secure the mouth, then press with clean gauze
• Bleeding that will not stop needs a vet and sutures

Transport

• Tape the mouth shut and place in a dedicated transport box (several people)
• Wrap heat packs in a towel so they never touch the animal directly. Transport dark and quiet