Crocodiles

The larger species of crocodilians are fierce predators. In particular, crocodiles have posed a long-standing risk to domestic livestock that try to drink from their aquatic habitat as well as to unwary humans. For this reason, crocodiles are commonly regarded as dangerous pests, and they are sometimes killed to reduce the risks associated with their presence.

Because some species of crocodilians are dangerous, they are greatly feared in many places. This fear is justified in some cases, at least in places where large human-eaters are abundant. In some cultures, the deep fear and revulsion that people have for dangerous crocodilians has transformed into an attitude of reverence. For example, a pool near Karachi, Pakistan, contains a number of large mugger crocodiles, which are venerated as priest-like entities and worshipped by pilgrims. In other places, human sacrifices have been made to crocodiles to pacify animist spirits.

The skins of crocodilians can be used to make a very tough and beautiful leather. This valuable product is widely sought for use in making expensive shoes, handbags, wallets, belts, suitcases, and other items. Crocodilians are readily hunted at night, when they can be found using searchlights that reflect brightly off their eyes. In almost all parts of the range of crocodilians, they have been hunted to endangerment or extirpation. Almost all species in the crocodile family are endangered to some degree.

In a few places, however, strict conservation regulations have allowed the populations of crocodilians to increase from historically depleted lows. This has been particularly true of the American alligator, which was considered to be an endangered species only a few decades ago, but has now recovered sufficiently to allow for a carefully regulated sport and market hunt.

Some species of crocodilians are also ranched, usually by capturing young animals in the wild and feeding them in confinement until they reach a large enough size to slaughter for their hide. The meat of crocodilians is also a saleable product, but it is secondary in importance to the hide.

Crocodilians are sometimes used to entertain people, and some species are kept as pets. The Romans, for example, sometimes displayed Nile crocodiles in their circuses. To amuse the masses of assembled people, the crocodiles would be killed by humans, or alternatively, humans would be killed by the crocodiles.

In more modern times, alligator wrestling has been popular in some places, for example, in parts of Florida. The key to successful alligator wrestling is to hold the jaws of the animal shut, which can be accomplished using only the hands (but watch out for the lashing tail!). Crocodilians have very powerful muscles for closing their jaws, but the muscles to open their mouth are quite weak.