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It must be high summer as we already have a report of a 'crocodile' being seen in Pluck Lake on Swansea Enterprise Park by a local fisherman (http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=161366&command=displayContent&sourceNode=258861&home=yes&more_nodeId1=161375&contentPK=20490119). It is possible that one of these reptiles (Caiman, Alligator and Crocodiles are all closely related) could have been illegally released by an owner who found that the 'cute' baby was getting too big for its container and too expensive to feed (as has been the case in some US cities where the animals apparently turn up in the sewers) but these cold-blooded animals would find it difficult to survive even at this time of the year (they slow down, making feeding difficult- such animals reportedly stop eating around 22 degrees Centigrade). Although water does retain heat, they certainly would not survive a winter. It seems more likely to have been a long and scaley fish, half hidden in the water (some exotic lizards and snakes will also swim in fresh water). It could even be a log or an otter. Either way, we will not have a viable population of these ancient reptiles grabbing joggers and small dogs as they pass the lake. If it was a crocodile, it is not long for this world! Excitement was such that this item reached the august pages of the Sun (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1110358.ece). Please note how the actual 'facts' are changed in relation to this posting (never let anything stand in the way of a 'good' story!).
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
Crocodile Tears
It must be high summer as we already have a report of a 'crocodile' being seen in Pluck Lake on Swansea Enterprise Park by a local fisherman (http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=161366&command=displayContent&sourceNode=258861&home=yes&more_nodeId1=161375&contentPK=20490119). It is possible that one of these reptiles (Caiman, Alligator and Crocodiles are all closely related) could have been illegally released by an owner who found that the 'cute' baby was getting too big for its container and too expensive to feed (as has been the case in some US cities where the animals apparently turn up in the sewers) but these cold-blooded animals would find it difficult to survive even at this time of the year (they slow down, making feeding difficult- such animals reportedly stop eating around 22 degrees Centigrade). Although water does retain heat, they certainly would not survive a winter. It seems more likely to have been a long and scaley fish, half hidden in the water (some exotic lizards and snakes will also swim in fresh water). It could even be a log or an otter. Either way, we will not have a viable population of these ancient reptiles grabbing joggers and small dogs as they pass the lake. If it was a crocodile, it is not long for this world! Excitement was such that this item reached the august pages of the Sun (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1110358.ece). Please note how the actual 'facts' are changed in relation to this posting (never let anything stand in the way of a 'good' story!).
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4 comments:
Hi mentioned your blog on my croc blog here http://morfadile.blogspot.com/. Do you know of any other escaped exotics in Swansea area recently?
There are often claims about the sighting of exotics (some around this area) but most of the earlier have been in reference to 'big cats' ("the beast of" this and that)or sharks. It is actually quite difficult to verify the claims unless you are there but it is easy for the eye to be 'fooled' especially under difficult lighting conditions. My feeling is that an actual croc is possible but unlikely. I think we would also be talking of a deliberate release rather than an escape.
Now I have found reports of 2 other reptile exotics on the loose in Swansea in the last few years as mentioned in my blog. Interesting. Sorry should have said released rather than escaped. Having talked to witness I can't see how he can have been mistaken. I originally thought it might have been a pike but have changed my mind.
Keep recording them. Not too different from Cane toads in Kent and the probable escape of Anolis lizards into Cornwall from the Eden Project (they intended to use them to combat fly populations but the air vents in the building open automatically).
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