Growth rates of Crocodylus porosus (saltwater crocodiles) juveniles in captive condition from madras crocodile bank trust centre for herpetology

The Present study was carried out on Crocodylus porosus from Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Tamil Nadu during June 2007 to May 2008. The growth rates were higher in monsoon season and lesser in post monsoon season. Of 15 captive juvenile from 3 clutches marked and were recaptured for growth analysis. The survived seven animals were taken for growth ratio of length and weight. The minimum growth ratio of length and weight group of animal was CODE: 301 (Length = 0.015) and (Weight = 0.149). The maximum growth ratio length and weight was recorded in CODE: 315 (Length = 0.040) and (Weight = 0.542). The one year growth increment of captive hatchlings was 13.4 cm/yr which was higher than other hatchlings. The minimum growth rates of animals among the three were found in Code: 301 hatchlings, perhaps because of low food consumption. A linear relationship was observed between total length and weight of the crocodiles.