It is a crocs’ world

Rana Preet Gill

Mammoth and bleary-eyed reptiles — in numbers that make you cringe — seem to be sun bathing at the first glance with their snouts agape. A close look and you notice they are neither snoozing nor lazing around because this is a technique they use to cool themselves off in the tropical African continent.

Crocodiles form an inherent part of the African narrative and crocodile farming is a way to salvage their numbers otherwise depleting rapidly due to considerable poaching. They are pretty ubiquitous in Uganda, home to the world-famous Nile crocodiles, but Buwama crocodile farm is their exclusive domain. The endangered reptiles are bred here for both commercial purposes as well as for promoting tourism. The farm is a crocodile haven in every respect and the experienced handlers conjure up many a trick to dare the crocodiles to wake up from their slumber and do some daredevil acts.

The farm boasts of more than 4,000 different crocodile species. The site is located 32 km from Kampala on the Kampala-Masaka highway. The farm is located on the shores of Lake Victoria.

Fast facts

• Crocodile jaws can apply 5,000 pounds of pressure per square inch, which is a lot more a human jaw (1,000 inch).
• These reptiles hibernate for longer periods in colder months and also during stretched periods of drought. 
• Cuban crocodile is one of the world’s most critically endangered species; only 4,000 survive.
• They are known to swallow small stones that grind up the food in their stomach.
• They don’t have sweat glands. As such, the only way to keep cool is to open their mouth and release the heat. 
• Shedding crocodile tears is an idiom but no these predators show little remorse. The tears acts as lubricants, pretty much like our eyes.
• When a crocodile loses a tooth, it is quickly replaced. The reptiles end up with around 8,000 teeth in a lifetime.