"Largest Captive Crocodile in North America

Calls South Dakota's World-Renowned Family Attraction Home"

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Largest Captive Crocodile in North America Calls South Dakota's World-Renowned Family Attraction Home

Reptile Gardens' Resident Saltwater Crocodile is Largest Croc in Captivity

/24-7PressRelease/ - Rapid City, South Dakota, June 01, 2008 - Reptile Gardens, a world-renowned animal park, in Rapid City, South Dakota, is home to the largest captive saltwater crocodile in North America. Known as Maniac, this saltwater croc is 15 feet 8 inches long, and weighs in at an impressive 1250 pounds!

Maniac is originally from Australia and was born in captivity in 1970. He safely made the long journey to this South Dakota family attraction in 2004, under the careful guidance of Reptile Garden's Head Curator, Ken Earnest - one of the world's foremost authorities on crocodilians.

Maniac is a middle-aged croc and in perfect condition. He has a huge head, strong jaws, lots of big sharp teeth, and strikingly beautiful coloration with large scutes (large armored scales) across his back.

Worldwide, there are only 2 crocodiles in captivity larger than Maniac - Cassius at Marineland Melanesia on Green Island, Australia, and Yai, a saltwater/siamese hybrid in Thailand. Cassius is 18 feet long, and Yai is reported by the Guiness Book of World Records to be 19 feet 8 inches.

"We are very proud of our large croc," says John Brockelsby, Public Relations Director of Reptile Gardens. "Maniac is a truly spectacular sight to see. In fact, it has been suggested we change his name to 'OH MY GOSH!' since this is the first thing most people say upon seeing him for the first time."

Robert Sharp and Associates is a full service advertising agency specializing in public relations, audio/video production, event management, web development, and graphic design. For further information about Reptile Gardens, please contact us at 605.341.5226.