Morphometry, Nutrition and Health of the Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris)Conserved in the Chittagong zoo, Bangladesh

Abstract

The crocodiles are one of the largest living reptiles, and an integral part of one of the ancient groups of reptilians, widespread and dependent on aquatic habitats of the tropical and sub-tropical regions. In addition to their ecological importance and identification as the ‘key stone’ species, they also play very important economic role. Most of the populations of the species have been depleted in their ranges due to over harvesting for different uses particularly with regard to their highly valued skin. Consequently, out of 23 living species, almost half of them are listed in different categories of IUCN red list as threatened species and facing severethreats for their survival. The purpose of Chittagong zoo is recreation, exhibition, conservation, education and research on wildlife. The current study aimed to focus the morphometry, habitat, nutrition, health and reproduction of the marsh crocodileconserved(Crocodyluspalustris)in the Chittagong zoo, Bangladesh.