Crocodile skin

Last updated

Crocodile skin either refers to the skin of a live crocodile or a leather made from dead crocodile hide. It has multiple applications across the fashion industry such as use for bags, shoes, and upholstery after being farmed and treated in specialist farms and tanneries.

Contents

Taxidermied skin of Lolong, coined as the largest crocodile in captivity by Guinness World Records, at Philippine National Museum Preserved skin of Lolong at Philippine National Museum.jpg
Taxidermied skin of Lolong, coined as the largest crocodile in captivity by Guinness World Records, at Philippine National Museum

Crocodile leather

Crocodile leather is the processed hide of one of 23 crocodile species in the world. [1] Crocodile leather is an exotic leather which as a group, makes up less than 1% of the world's leather production. [2]   It is rare compared to other hides such as sheep or cow and requires high levels of craftsmanship to prepare it for use in the consumer industry. [3] Crocodile leather is considered a luxury item utilized by high fashion brands such as Hermes, Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) and Gucci. [4] As a material, crocodile leather is rare and expensive because of limited numbers of crocodiles, their relatively small size and the scarcity of dependable farms and tanning facilities to process and prepare the product for market. [4]

Red Crocodile Kelly Bag Red Crocodile Kelly Bag.jpg
Red Crocodile Kelly Bag

Applications and Uses

Crocodile skin is primarily used in the production of handbags and other luxury items such as shoes, belts, wallets, upholstery, and furniture. For these products, Freshwater, Saltwater, Nile and Caiman are used because of the superior quality of skin which when tanned has an aesthetic finish. [5] Not all these skins are valued the same. As one of the largest crocodile species, the Australian Saltwater Crocodile has a reputation for having the most desirable and high-quality hide. This makes it more popular than the smaller Caiman skins which, as a more common species, is a cheaper option. [6] The value of a skin is dependent on what it will be used for. Freshwater Crocodile, particularly from New Guinea, is known for its flexibility which allows processors to skive it down to a thinness suitable for clothing whereas Nile crocodile, mostly available across Africa, [5] is durable, making it desirable for heavy-duty items such as footwear and belts. [7]

Farming

Crocodiles are either farmed or wild-caught. [8] In Northern and Western Australia crocodile farms carry out ranching which includes captive breeding and harvesting of eggs from the wild. Eggs are collected and landowners sell the eggs to local farms to breed. [9] In 2018 this method also became legal in Queensland. [10] [3]

On a crocodile farm, crocodiles are grown and prepared for slaughter before their skin is removed, treated, and sent to be tanned in specialist tanneries and used in the manufacture of commercial goods.

  1. Ranching - this is the collection of wild eggs. [6] Collection usually occurs in February and March. [11]
  2. Hatching - the eggs are incubated and protected to ensure the highest yield. [9]
  3. Growth - the crocodiles are grown to certain sizes dependent on what the skin will be used for. For example, most bags will require a 40 cm belly skin which will require a crocodile of generally 1.5 years old or 1.2 m long. The requirements vary depending on what is fashionable at the time, for example, if there is a trend for small handbags then a farm will reduce the growth stage and instigate slaughter earlier as smaller skins are required by the fashion industry. It is a case of supply and demand; if crocodile skin suits are "in fashion" then crocodile farmers will need to provide the fashion industry will larger skins suitable for such production. [12] [9]
  4. Stunning - Once the crocodiles have reached the desired size, the crocodile is stunned with a rod and its eyes are covered to calm it. [13] They are then sent to abattoirs where skins and meat are removed for sale. [3]
  5. Slaughter - Humane slaughter is carried out by the severing of the spinal cord. [3]
  6. Disinfection - According to food-safety guidelines the skin is disinfected.
  7. Chilling - Before skinning the carcass is left in a cold room bleed. [8] This often takes place overnight. [3]
  8. Skinning - Skin is carefully removed.
  9. Meat Processing - meat is removed and packaged according to food safety requirements.
  10. Skin Processing - the processing of the removed skin involves short and long term preservation, grading and measurement and storage until dispatch. [12] [3]

The main farm income is in crocodile skin for the fashion industry. [14] It is important the skin is of good quality to achieve the highest revenue possible. Preservation is essential as quality of skin reduces substantially in warm conditions where the farms tend to be situated. [3] To add value to skins, some farms include fleshing at the stage of short term preservation. Fleshing is usually carried out by tanners and is the trimming, scraping and removal of remaining muscle tissue using sharp equipment and high power water jets. [8] It is often considered risky for farms to complete the fleshing process as the skin may be damaged, a costly mistake. 1 skin costs $12 in labor, not including operating or capital costs. Therefore, fleshing is usually carried out by tanners. [8]

Value, quality and measurements

The skin is the most valuable part of a crocodile, followed by the meat and other body parts such as teeth. [12] Value is decided in two ways: size and grade. Greater width increases the value of the skin and is measured across the third raised scute. The grade is measured on a scale of damage to the skin and value is deducted by 25% at each level. [8] Therefore, skin value can drop significantly if the quality is not maintained by careful handling.

The value of first-grade skin per cm is $9 (USA), a 40 cm of skin therefore costs $360. [8] For every imperfection, value decreases which is why crocodile farmers take precautionary measures such as covering corners of enclosures with plastic, to keep their crocodiles in good condition. [15] Crocodiles are put into smaller groups to prevent fights and spread of infections are known to lead to scarring and damage of skin which will affect the value of leather. [16] [8]

The value of a skin is dependent on how much it is desired by fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent and Hermes. [15] Premium skins are usually transported to countries such as France, Italy and the United States of America where the most reputable tanneries treat the skins according to the designer's wishes and make them ready for manufacture into commercial goods such as bags, shoes and accessories. [14] In Australia, (both a producer and manufacturer of crocodile hide) businesses like Di Croco offer custom products to customers and also use lesser skins and by-products to minimize waste. [12] [17]

Quality can be improved up to the point of slaughter and from here only maintained or reduced. [8] Skin must be preserved carefully as after slaughter there is a loss of immune response and it becomes susceptible to microbial contamination such as scale slip, staining and discoloration [15] and biological damage, e.g. bacterial or fungal infection. [8] In short term preservation, a 60% brine solution is used for up to five days. In long term preservation, a commercial biocide is required which allows the skin to be kept for up to four months. [8] [18] The skins are kept in sealed individual bags, though not vacuum packed, to minimize exposure, prevent creasing and simplify handling. Farmers and tanners use specific methods of folding or rolling skins to prevent creases forming across the scales. [8]

The rough-textured scutes of crocodile hide present in the back cut. Crocodiles skin 0568-Djerba-sgsprzem.jpg
The rough-textured scutes of crocodile hide present in the back cut.

There are 2 main cuts of crocodile skin:

  1. Back Cut - Scaly cut with a rough texture and mainly used in trimmings.
  2. Belly Cut - Highly popular cut due to smooth texture and close, small scale structure which makes it pliable and suitable for many items such as handbags and clothing. [2]

The largest width of the belly is measured to gauge the value of the hide. [5] When designers are purchasing crocodile leather, they must take into consideration the measurements are for the overall size of the hide and not a pattern width. As a result, it can take several skins to produce a single item. [19]

Treatment after Farming and Production

Development programs were set up to support the growth of crocodile populations during harvest in the 1960s and 1970s in the Americas and Rhodesia. [14] Papua New Guinea put similar management programs in place which made the trading of crocodile skin economically and commercially viable as it prevented over hunting and depletion in numbers. Maintenance of these farms relies on skin-producing countries to export their products elsewhere for tanning and manufacture. [14]

Often, it is impossible to tell if a skin has been preserved adequately until after tanning as there may be no signs of biological damage. [8] A damaged skin resulting in a dull, discolored or scuffed finish which ultimately devalues the leather. [20]

Australian Saltwater Crocodile is one of the most sought after skins because it is flexible which makes it good for handbag production. [3] Bonier hides of Caiman crocodiles are more difficult to dye and work with, making them a less popular option. For items such as bags, suits or trousers, large panels of skin are required. [2] With large areas of leather on display, damaged leather is obvious which is why cautions are taken to ensure high-grade skins come out of the crocodile farms. Small bags require a hide of 30 to 34  cm. Larger bags need skins of 40 to 50 cm. [19] Manufacturers should use the maximum amount of hide to avoid waste. Scraps are used for straps, gussets and interior details. [21] It is necessary for the designer to mark the skin with preparatory sewing lines using a rotatory tool to thin the line where the stitches will run. This reduces the risk of the needle hitting calcium deposits which may break the needle. [21] [14]

It takes an average of two artisan days to make a crocodile skin handbag. Timing depends on the glazing technique used on the hide as certain glazes affect the pliability of the leather, making it stiffer and prone to cracking. [19] Longer, more complicated process is required when the leather has been treated like this as the leather cannot be turned inside out in the traditional way. [5]

Legalities

The crocodile skin trade is legally complicated because it is important that the leather is sourced reliably from farms where crocodiles are treated in humane conditions. Unregulated commercial hunting has resulted in a decline of many crocodile populations so governments have put protection over many reptiles. [7] CITES is an international agreement between 164 countries to protect endangered species from extinction. Established in 1973, it stands for "Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora". [14] Legally imported crocodile skin must come from reputable farms with CITES certification to prove legal possession. Any uncertificated skins are confiscated by customs and sale of an inherited (pre-CITES) or illegally imported skin is a criminal offense. [3]

The laws on crocodile trade are different around the world. In America, it is legal to import sustainably sourced crocodile leather as long as it complies with the restrictions imposed by CITES. [7] Crocodile leather trade for Freshwater Siamese Crocodile with Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia is forbidden even if the skin is accompanied by a CITES certificate. [8] In certain cases, illegal trade occurs when buyers are unaware of restrictions so companies or businesses purchasing crocodile hide must be sure of the origin of the skin they are purchasing. [8] [5]

Trade

Crocodile leather trade was established in the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America when it became a popular material in the 1800s. [14] Since then, demand for skins has increased to the extent that hunting and production spread to Africa, Asia and Australia, where the majority of crocodile skins are sustainably sourced today. [14]

In the Northern Territory, crocodile farms generate $107 million per year. This is a crucial form of income for a community lacking viable industry. [20] Crocodile farming is valued as providing 264 jobs (2017) as well as encouraging harmony within communities with Indigenous and local people who carry out egg hunting and crocodile rearing. [22]  

Crocodile farming is not limited to the production of skins for the fashion industry. Tourism and on-farm breeding help maintain the state of farms and educate the public about the role of crocodile farming in certain communities. In the Northern Territory tourists can visit Crocodylus Park [23] and Crocosaurus Cove [24] to learn about the crocodiles and the trade. [12]

Conservation

Within certain societies, the crocodile trade is extremely important. [8] In 1945 - 1971 Northern Australians generated significant income at the expense of the crocodile as uncontrolled trade severely impacted on the populations of both saltwater and freshwater crocodiles. [25] Full protection over the Australian Saltwater Crocodile was established in 1971 to allow the species to recover. [26] When crocodile numbers increased, co-habitation with local people became a problem, and fatal and non-fatal attacks on people and fishing boats were reported in 1979/1980. In response, the Northern Territory established an 'incentive-driven conservation strategy' [26] which encouraged people to protect crocodiles through commercial activity such as farming, tourism, and ranching. [27] The Saltwater Crocodiles are seen as a commercial resource by communities who generate wealth and employment through the crocodile industry. [28] This also promotes crocodile conservation which would otherwise be difficult because of their predatory nature. [27] [29]

Brands who use crocodile skins are encouraged to support conservation efforts. Australian brand Croc Stock and Barra use unwanted sections of skin to handcraft luxury items and ensure waste is limited. [30] Other brands such as Roje Exotics American Leathers claim to use leather that is the byproduct of the international exotic cuisine industry which also ensures fewer skins are wasted within the system. [31]

Animal Welfare

The Management Program within the Northern Territory maintains that the crocodiles are farmed in a humane way. It makes assessments on farming limits and population dynamics to ensure the numbers of Saltwater Crocodile are maintained and never reach the lows of 1972 again. [27]

See also

Bibliography

  1. CrocoWorld. "Crocodile Species". Crocodile Facts and Information. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  2. 1 2 3 "Exotic leather - www.leather-dictionary.com - The Leather Dictionary". www.leather-dictionary.com.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Goulding, Riedel, Bevan, Warfield, Brendan, Elysa, Andrea, Bronwyn (June 2007). Export Markets for Skins and Leather for Australia’s camel, crocodile, emu and goat industries. A report for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. Australia: Australian Government, Rural Industries Research, and Development Corporation. pp. 15-32. ISBN   1 74151 486 X
  4. 1 2 Daneshkhu, Scheherazade (2013-05-26). "Luxury race to bag the best skins" . Financial Times. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "About Crocodile Leather | Crocodile Leather - Luxury Grade Wholesale Crocodile Hides". 28 May 2009. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  6. 1 2 Hawkins, Huynh, Stephen, Chi (December 2004). Improved Preservation and early-stage processing of Australian Crocodile Skins. Australia: Australian Government, Rural Industries Research and Development Cooperation. pp.3-35 ISBN   1741510732
  7. 1 2 3 Thorbjarnarson, John (June 1999). "Crocodile Tears and Skins: International Trade, Economic Constraints, and Limits to the Sustainable Use of Crocodilians". Conservation Biology. 13 (3): 465–470. doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.1999.00011.x. S2CID   83775178 via JSTOR.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Hawkins, Huynh, Stephen, Chi (December 2004). Improved Preservation and early stage processing of Australian Crocodile Skins. Australia: Australian Government, Rural Industries Research and Development Cooperation. pp. 5-34 ISBN   1741510732
  9. 1 2 3 "Banning exotic leather in fashion hurts snakes and crocodiles in the long run". phys.org. Retrieved 2019-05-12.
  10. Science, jurisdiction=Queensland; sector=government; corporateName=Department of Environment and (2018-09-21). "Crocodile egg harvesting". Department of Environment and Science. Retrieved 2019-08-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. "Saltwater Crocodiles - It's breeding time in the Top End". Croc Cove. 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Ernst & Young, Northern Territory Crocodile Industry Economic Contribution Analysis (2017). Final Report: Economic Value of the Crocodile Farming Industry to the Northern Territory. Australia: Ernst & Young. pp.1-43.
  13. Dias, Avani (2018-05-28). "Take a rare look inside the Top End's lucrative crocodile industry". triple j. Retrieved 2019-05-12.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Thorbjarnarson, John (1999). "Crocodile Tears and Skins: International Trade, Economic Constraints, and Limits to the Sustainable Use of Crocodilians". Conservation Biology. 13 (3): 465–470. doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.1999.00011.x. ISSN   0888-8892. JSTOR   2641860. S2CID   83775178.
  15. 1 2 3 "Skin in the fashion game". www.theaustralian.com.au. 2015-07-10. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  16. "Skin in the fashion game". www.theaustralian.com.au. 2015-07-10. Retrieved 2019-05-12.
  17. "Welcome to the di CROCO Boutique". di CROCO. Retrieved 2019-05-12.
  18. "How To Tan an alligator Hide". alligatorhuntingequipment.com. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  19. 1 2 3 "Roje Workshop - Designer Exotic Leather Handbags and Furniture". workshop.rojeleather.com. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  20. 1 2 Dias, Avani (2018-05-28). "Take a rare look inside the Top End's lucrative crocodile industry". triple j. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  21. 1 2 Mendal, Mark. "4 Tips for Making Crocodile Skin Handbags". www.panamleathers.com. Retrieved 2019-05-12.
  22. Vanovac, Neda (2017-07-27). "NT croc industry valued at over $100m, four times previous estimates". ABC News. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  23. "Crocodylus Park". www.crocodyluspark.com.au. Archived from the original on 2019-03-13. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  24. "Cage of Death |". Croc Cove. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  25. "Crocodile hunting". Queensland Historical Atlas. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
  26. 1 2 Parks and Wildlife Service of the Northern Territory (2012–2014). Management Program for the saltwater crocodile in the Northern Territory of Australia 2012-2014. Australia: Northern Territory Government, department of natural resources, environment, the arts, and sport. pp. 1-62.
  27. 1 2 3 Parks and Wildlife Service of the Northern Territory (2012–2014). Management Program for the saltwater crocodile in the Northern Territory of Australia 2012-2014. Australia: Northern Territory Government, the department of natural resources, environment, the arts, and sport. pp. 18-36.
  28. "Tropical Australia's Crocodile Entrepreneurs | Environment & Society Portal". www.environmentandsociety.org. 7 February 2019. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
  29. "Inside the Rugged Lives of Crocodile Hunters". Photography. 2017-08-31. Retrieved 2019-05-12.
  30. "About us | Croc Stock and Barra Leather Products". Croc Stock and Barra. Retrieved 2019-05-12.
  31. "About". workshop.rojeleather.com. Retrieved 2019-05-12.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leather</span> Durable and flexible material created by tanning animal skins

Leather is a strong, flexible and durable material obtained from the tanning, or chemical treatment, of animal skins and hides to prevent decay. The most common leathers come from cattle, sheep, goats, equine animals, buffalo, pigs and hogs, and aquatic animals such as seals and alligators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crocodile</span> Family of large reptilian carnivores

Crocodiles or true crocodiles are large semiaquatic reptiles that live throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia. The term crocodile is sometimes used even more loosely to include all extant members of the order Crocodilia, which includes the alligators and caimans, the gharial and false gharial among other extinct taxa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanning (leather)</span> Process of treating animal skin to produce leather

Tanning is the process of treating skins and hides of animals to produce leather. A tannery is the place where the skins are processed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saltwater crocodile</span> Reptile of South Asia, Southeast Asia and Oceania

The saltwater crocodile is a crocodilian native to saltwater habitats, brackish wetlands and freshwater rivers from India's east coast across Southeast Asia and the Sundaic region to northern Australia and Micronesia. It has been listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List since 1996. It was hunted for its skin throughout its range up to the 1970s, and is threatened by illegal killing and habitat loss. It is regarded as dangerous to humans.

A hide or skin is an animal skin treated for human use. The word "hide" is related to the German word Haut, which means skin. The industry defines hides as "skins" of large animals e.g. cow, buffalo; while skins refer to "skins" of smaller animals: goat, sheep, deer, pig, fish, alligator, snake, etc. Common commercial hides include leather from cattle and other livestock animals, buckskin, alligator skin and snake skin. All are used for shoes, clothes, leather bags, belts, or other fashion accessories. Leather is also used in cars, upholstery, interior decorating, horse tack and harnesses. Skins are sometimes still gathered from hunting and processed at a domestic or artisanal level but most leather making is now industrialized and large-scale. Various tannins are used for this purpose. Hides are also used as processed chews for dogs or other pets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Handbag</span> Handled bag used to carry personal items

A handbag, commonly known as a purse in North American English, is a handled medium-to-large bag used to carry personal items. It has also been called a pocketbook in parts of the U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freshwater crocodile</span> Species of reptile

The freshwater crocodile, also known as the Australian freshwater crocodile, Johnstone's crocodile or the freshie, is a species of crocodile endemic to the northern regions of Australia. Unlike their much larger Australian relative, the saltwater crocodile, freshwater crocodiles are not known as man-eaters, although they bite in self-defence, and brief, nonfatal attacks have occurred, apparently the result of mistaken identity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siamese crocodile</span> Species of reptile

The Siamese crocodile is a medium-sized freshwater crocodile native to Indonesia, Brunei, East Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. The species is critically endangered and already extirpated from many regions. Its other common names include Siamese freshwater crocodile, Singapore small-grain, and soft-belly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hermès</span> French luxury goods manufacturer

Hermès International S.A., is a French luxury design house established in 1837. It specializes in leather goods, lifestyle accessories, home furnishings, perfumery, jewelry, watches and ready-to-wear. Since the 1950s, its logo has been a depiction of a ducal horse-drawn carriage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fur clothing</span> Clothing made of furry animal hides

Fur clothing is clothing made from the preserved skins of mammals. Fur is one of the oldest forms of clothing, and is thought to have been widely used by people for at least 120,000 years. The term 'fur' is often used to refer to a specific item of clothing such as a coat, wrap, or shawl made from the fur of animals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orinoco crocodile</span> Species of reptile

The Orinoco crocodile is a critically endangered crocodile. Its population is very small, and they can only be found in the Orinoco river basin in Venezuela and Colombia. Extensively hunted for their skins in the 19th and 20th centuries, it is one of the most endangered species of crocodiles. It is a very large species of crocodilian; males have been reported up to 6.8 m in the past, weighing over 900 kg (2,000 lb), but such sizes do not exist today, 5.2 m being a more widely accepted maximum size. A large male today may attain 4.2 m in length and can weigh up to 450 kg (1,000 lb), while females are substantially smaller with the largest likely to weigh around 225 kg (496 lb). Sexual dimorphism is not as profound as in other crocodilian species. The coloration is light even in adults.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crocodile attack</span> Crocodile attacks on humans

Crocodile attacks on humans are common in places where large crocodilians are native and human populations live. It has been estimated that about 1,000 people are killed by crocodilians each year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ostrich leather</span> Material created by tanning ostritch skin

Ostrich leather is the result of tanning skins taken from African ostriches farmed for their feathers, skin and meat. The leather is distinctive for its pattern of bumps or vacant quill follicles, ranged across a smooth field in varying densities. It requires an intricate, specialised and expensive production process making its aesthetic value costly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birkin bag</span> Tote bag made by Hermès

The Birkin bag is a tote bag introduced in 1984 by French luxury goods maker Hermès. Birkin bags are handmade from leather and are named after the English-French actress and singer Jane Birkin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Guinea crocodile</span> Species of reptile

The New Guinea crocodile is a small species of crocodile found on the island of New Guinea north of the mountain ridge that runs along the centre of the island. The population found south of the mountain ridge, formerly considered a genetically distinct population, is now considered a distinct species, Hall's New Guinea crocodile. In the past it included the Philippine crocodile, C. n. mindorensis, as a subspecies, but today they are regarded as separate species. The habitat of the New Guinea crocodile is mostly freshwater swamps and lakes. It is most active at night when it feeds on fish and a range of other small animals. A female crocodile lays a clutch of eggs in a nest composed of vegetation and she lies up nearby to guard the nest. There is some degree of parental care for newly hatched juveniles. This crocodile was over-hunted for its valuable skin in the mid 20th century, but conservation measures have since been put in place, it is reared in ranches and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists it as being of "Least Concern".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crocodile oil</span> Extract of fatty tissue of crocodiles

Crocodile oil is extracted from the fatty tissues of crocodiles. Crocodile fat is a product of commercial farming, evident in Thailand. Historically, for centuries crocodile oil has been used by traditional practitioners across the globe, including Chinese Traditional Medicine, Southeast Asia, Ancient Egypt. Crocodile oil was found to be used since the 19th century for different purposes in different cultures. Due to the oil's components, its richness in monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated fats, it is today commonly used as ointment for treatment of skin conditions, skin structure enhancement, collagen deposition, and medicine for illnesses. In recent times, the use of crocodile oil has invited criticism from the use of crocodile oil as there is an increased demand for cruelty-free and vegan-friendly beauty products in consumers of today's society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crocodile farm</span> Establishment for breeding and raising of crocodilians

A crocodile farm or alligator farm is an establishment for breeding and raising of crocodilians in order to produce crocodile and alligator meat, leather from crocodile and alligator skin, and other goods. Many species of both alligators and crocodiles are farmed internationally. In Louisiana alone, alligator farming is a $60 to $70 million industry.

The cane toad in Australia is regarded as an exemplary case of an invasive species. Australia's relative isolation prior to European colonisation and the industrial revolution, both of which dramatically increased traffic and import of novel species, allowed development of a complex, interdepending system of ecology, but one which provided no natural predators for many of the species subsequently introduced. The recent, sudden inundation of foreign species has led to severe breakdowns in Australian ecology, after overwhelming proliferation of a number of introduced species, for which the continent has no efficient natural predators or parasites, and which displace native species; in some cases, these species are physically destructive to habitat, as well. Cane toads have been very successful as an invasive species, having become established in more than 15 countries within the past 150 years. In the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the Australian government listed the impacts of the cane toad as a "key threatening process".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crocodile farming in the Philippines</span>

Crocodile farming in the Philippines refers to agricultural industries involving the raising and harvesting of crocodiles for the commercial production of Crocodile meat and crocodile leather.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alligator leather</span>

Leather is created when an animal skin or hide is chemically treated in a process called tanning to preserve them for long term use as material for clothing, handbags, footwear, furniture, sports equipment and tools. Alligator leather is also commonly used to create similar items as mentioned above.