Dubai Aquarium crocodile’s expecting 59 new arrivals

King and Queen Croc are expecting hatchlings soon after the 80-year-old female laid 59 eggs recently.

The King Croc family at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is growing. Courtesy Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

DUBAI // Dubai Aquarium’s King and Queen Croc are set to add to their family with scores of hatchlings expected to emerge in the next couple of months.

The giant Australian crocodiles arrived at the aquarium last summer and have surprised experts who did not think they would breed because they were too old. However, Queen Croc has laid 59 eggs, and several of these are expected to hatch soon after an 80-day incubation period. The others are expected to hatch not long after.

“King Croc is already one of our star attractions and the expansion to his family will give unique perspectives on crocodiles to our visitors,” said Maitha Al Dossari, the chief executive of Emaar Retail, which runs Dubai Mall, where the aquarium is based.

“We are delighted that King Croc and Queen Croc have adapted extremely well to their new home, and we look forward to the addition of baby crocs.”

In preparation for the arrivals, the aquarium is looking at how to accommodate them.

At 80, Queen Croc had a decreasing reproductive success rate on the Australian farm she has spent more than 20 years with King Croc.

The crocodiles have been preparing for their offspring by building a nest for their new arrivals.

However, to ensure more hatchlings survive, the eggs have been put into an incubator and will be placed into the nest just before they hatch.

In the meantime, aquarium visitors can watch the eggs being incubated.

Crocodiles usually breed between November and March, with females typically laying 40 to 60 eggs.

The males will then patrol stretches of water to safeguard their territory, while females build nests above the water line.

Although it takes about 80 days for the eggs to hatch not all do so, as some fail to develop into embryos.

The parents will continue to keep watch over their young after they hatch to help with feeding.

King Croc, who is 40 years his partner’s junior, had bred well with her in the past, but as his companion aged it had become more difficult.

The size of the new hatchlings will be in stark contrast to their parents, as they will be only 30cm long and weigh 70 grams.

King Croc is 5.1 metres long and weighs 750kg, making him one of the largest examples of his species in the world.

For further information, visit www.thedubaiaquarium.com or call Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo on 04 448 5200.