Giant crocodile picks "bride"
                 Source: Xinhua | 2016-08-18 16:29:52 | Editor: huaxia

Photo taken on August 17, 2016 shows the largest crocodile in China with his mouth wide open waiting to be fed. (Xinhua/Fu Min)

XIAMEN, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Love is a multiple choice. The largest crocodile in China is about to choose his other half in the coming three months from 16 candidates.

Imported from Thailand in 2000, the giant hulk, a Thailand Siam Alligator, 6.5 meters in length and 1.5 tonnes in weight, is 46 years old, in the prime time of his life, according to the animal's keeper Mr Zeng at a zoo in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province.

Photo taken on August 17, 2016 shows the largest crocodile in China squatting beside a pool at a zoo in east China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Fu Min)

This is not the first time that they have held a breeding mate selection for the giant aquatic reptile, according to Zeng. Five years ago, the big chunk fathered a pair of twin crocodile babies with his carefully selected spouse. To make sure it can find another breeding mate this year, staff in the zoo singled out 16 young females aged between 20 to 30 from over 100 crocodiles.

Usually, a male crocodile can have at least four spouses. After the hulk chooses the one it likes and has finished mating, the female crocodile will be sent to a cozy "delivery room" to lay eggs.

Young female crocodiles at a zoo in east China's Fujian province are selected for the male to pick. (Xinhua/Fu Min)

However a perfect match is not easy to make. Zeng said the bride-to-be is required to be aged between 20 to 30, at a size of 3.5 meters to 4.5 meters long. Besides, it should be fertile and can lay 50 to 60 eggs in a single childbirth. "The 16 candidates we selected can meet all the above standards, but here is the thing, we have to leave the final choice to the male crocodile itself."

Photo taken on August 17, 2016 shows the crocodiles at a zoo in east China's Fujian province are having fun in a pool. (Xinhua/Fu Min)

The giant male crocodile is mainly fed on beef, fish and chicken with 20 kilograms to be inhaled each time.

Up to now, there are over 2,000 crocodiles from 20 different countries living at the zoo.

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Giant crocodile picks "bride"

Source: Xinhua 2016-08-18 16:29:52

Photo taken on August 17, 2016 shows the largest crocodile in China with his mouth wide open waiting to be fed. (Xinhua/Fu Min)

XIAMEN, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Love is a multiple choice. The largest crocodile in China is about to choose his other half in the coming three months from 16 candidates.

Imported from Thailand in 2000, the giant hulk, a Thailand Siam Alligator, 6.5 meters in length and 1.5 tonnes in weight, is 46 years old, in the prime time of his life, according to the animal's keeper Mr Zeng at a zoo in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province.

Photo taken on August 17, 2016 shows the largest crocodile in China squatting beside a pool at a zoo in east China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Fu Min)

This is not the first time that they have held a breeding mate selection for the giant aquatic reptile, according to Zeng. Five years ago, the big chunk fathered a pair of twin crocodile babies with his carefully selected spouse. To make sure it can find another breeding mate this year, staff in the zoo singled out 16 young females aged between 20 to 30 from over 100 crocodiles.

Usually, a male crocodile can have at least four spouses. After the hulk chooses the one it likes and has finished mating, the female crocodile will be sent to a cozy "delivery room" to lay eggs.

Young female crocodiles at a zoo in east China's Fujian province are selected for the male to pick. (Xinhua/Fu Min)

However a perfect match is not easy to make. Zeng said the bride-to-be is required to be aged between 20 to 30, at a size of 3.5 meters to 4.5 meters long. Besides, it should be fertile and can lay 50 to 60 eggs in a single childbirth. "The 16 candidates we selected can meet all the above standards, but here is the thing, we have to leave the final choice to the male crocodile itself."

Photo taken on August 17, 2016 shows the crocodiles at a zoo in east China's Fujian province are having fun in a pool. (Xinhua/Fu Min)

The giant male crocodile is mainly fed on beef, fish and chicken with 20 kilograms to be inhaled each time.

Up to now, there are over 2,000 crocodiles from 20 different countries living at the zoo.

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