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Robert Rackuzius Robert Rackuzius
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October 03, 2007
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Resolved Question

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Why can't crocodiles live in the sewers of major cities?

  • 2 years ago
ophelliaz by ophellia...
Member since:
February 04, 2007
Total points:
3898 (Level 4)

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

In warmer climates they could but there probably wouldn't be enough food for them to thrive.

Crocodiles and alligators thrive in tropical and sub-tropical climes, they need warmth. They are large animals and need enough food to both expend the energy to get more food and to just survive. The sewers of most major cities aren't quite warm enough and only offer small rodents for the most part.

The urban myth stems from people flushing unwanted pets down the toilet. Because most septic systems aren't equipped to deal with large masses such animals would die and, if large enough, clog the system even if they are only very small babies.

Obviously any decent sized alligator or croc would never fit in a toilet.

Also obviously, such animals would have much better chances in any near by lake, pond, river, or stream and would leave the sewer in search of better hunting grounds rather than starve to death. If it's a cold place the sewers would be little better than said natural body of water. They are reptiles and, thus, cold blooded. They need warm environments to keep from dying of hypothermia.
  • 2 years ago
Asker's Rating:
5 out of 5
Asker's Comment:
You own.
These people are idiots. I live in rural Western PA and we've had 2 cases that I know of of crocidiles/alligators living in sewers and it gets below zero degrees here!

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There's plenty of heat in the sewers. I've heard of alligators, pythons and boa constrictors living in sewers. With all the rats down there there's plenty to eat. And rats in big cities are as bigger than squirrels.

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I guess some of them must have landed up in stores in the city as hand bags & wallets.

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While typically a warmer climate creature.... gators/crocs can live and thrive in colder waters without any major problems... it's just not their first choice.

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Just this past year Little Rock, Arkansas had to organize an alligator hunt in the city's sewer system to reduce the alligator population as it was becoming a public danger. I thought it was hillarious when I read the story, but It does happen.

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i wonder how the gators end up in the sewer

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Well I like dthis question man.

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