THE

CROCODILIAN

WORLD RECORDS

PROJECT

Keep watching this page for updates.

THE INFORMATION-GATHERING AND PUBLISHING ENDEAVOR LAUNCHES FEBRUARY 11, 2008

Crocodopolis, a communications enterprise dedicated to the sharing and dispersing of information about the Crocodilian species of the world and their conservation, is engaged in a Crocodilian World Records Project for its Internet, Internet video and general publishing endeavors. The first phase of this project deals with the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). Subsequent phases will deal with other species of Crocodylia.

The purpose of the project is to use the popular 'World Records' platform to publicize crocodilian conservation, biological, cultural and general information to the public in an engaging and educational manner, and to promote the crocodilian 'industry.'

We invite all alligator keepers, owners, farmers, ranchers, researchers, law enforcement personnel and alligator enthusiasts to share their comments, experiences, information, and photographs in the search for superlative alligator specimens of record. If you also work with other species of Crocodylia, and wish to share possible ‘world record’ information on these, please feel free to do so.

This is the first phase of the information search. As the information received is processed, confirmations by our editors will follow.

Following is a Question & Answer- style orientation to assist you:

WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION/MATERIAL ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

After you've read this orientation, please scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the categories of information you may participate in.

WHAT IS THE SUBMISSION PROCESS?

Contributors submitting information are encouraged to send any supporting documents, photographs, video material, and the like. These materials cannot be returned without a self-addressed postage-paid envelope/parcel.

Please note that submitted video, articles, scientific papers and photographs will not be used for publication without your express, written permission. Such request for permission will be made after all submitted material is processed and material is chosen for follow-up investigation. Exception: If you wish to simply contribute information in a simple written document written expressly for this project, we'll accept that information as freely offered and without copyright claim by you, the contributor, unless you tell us otherwise in writing in the same submission.

Scientific papers and articles will be quoted in accord with the "Fair Use" laws of the United States, and properly cited. Material submitted will be researched and processed carefully by journalistic standards.

You, your facility, or organization may be contacted for an interview, which may include an in-person interview for print publication or for Internet television recording and/or broadcast, or by telephone or Internet for general publication. Participants in any video or photographic recording by Crocodopolis may be asked to grant permission for such in writing by signing 'talent' and/or other applicable release(s).

Remember, the deadline for this phase is Friday, April 18, 2008.

DOES THIS PROJECT PAY FOR SUBMISSIONS?

Please know that there is no compensation for submitted material, for the expenses incurred by procuring the information by the contributor, for the postage costs for delivery of such, or fees, primary, residual or any other kind, for the publication/ dissemination of such by Crocodopolis by any means, including, but not limited to, electronic, print, Internet, video, television, signage or other form of motion picture.

Contributors to the project may benefit greatly in collateral ways, such as from the free international publicity and from the many hours of labor and the expense in researching the information of record for confirmation and accuracy.

WHEN WILL THIS PROJECT BE COMPLETED AND PRESENTED?

This project in all its phases is considerably large. It is impossible to determine exactly when, but some of this first phase (concerning the American Alligator) will be released via Internet writing (copy), and Internet video first. Some may be syndicated to network television nationally and internationally. The first material to be released will be this year.

SPECIFICALLY WHAT INFORMATION IS SOUGHT?

We're looking for, among other data, records of actual crocodilian's sizes, whether the specimen is living or deceased. These records may include length, weight or other measurement, in meters or feet-and-inches. All measurements will be converted to both Metric and U. S. Customary using a single conversion computer software application for consistency. Such measurements are subject to confirmation.

For length, a median plane measurement is desired. Measure from the extreme anterior (tip of the snout) to the extreme posterior (tip of the tail), with the body straightened.

To achieve this, the specimen may be measured in two ways, (provided the animal's temperament allows for such activity!):

● The preferred method is a ventral measurement, taken on the ground immediately beside the animal, so that the measurement does not include the undulations (horizontal curves) in the dorsal surface of the animal, since this condition renders an inaccurate distance measure.

● Another desirable measurement procedure is to hold a tape measure, rope or chord over the animal, holding it lightly taught, using vertical upright sticks or poles at the front and rear termination points to aid in achieving accuracy. The rope or chord may be marked and measured for accuracy.

The record of an animal's mass may be submitted by an accurate weight measurement of it (Of course, we're not condoning obesity in animals-- we're referring to natural mass). An animal's mass may be considered in addition to it's length, in order to determine size; mass (weight) measurements may be required, in addition to length, in the case of animal lengths of very similar measurement.

As for other records, the categories listed at the bottom of the page are probably self explanatory. Please contact us should you require further information.

HOW DO I SEND INFORMATION OR MATERIAL?

The best way to send electronic information, such as digital photographs, electronic documents (such as Word and PDF files) and others, is by transferring such to disc. As for images, if you have more than two digital ones to send, a mailed disc is preferred.

Material may be sent to Crocodopolis by regular post delivery or electronic mail delivery:

● Post: U.S. Postal Service, FedEx (Federal Express),UPS (United Parcel Service) or other international carrier. This is preferable if your submitted material consists of printed photographs, photo negatives or proofs, paper documents, discs, or VHS tape(s). Send to:

Crocodopolis

208 E Lake Howard Drive #402

Winter Haven, FL 33881-3147

USA

● Email: Send to dupont@crocodopolis.net

WHAT IF I HAVE A CROCODILIAN THAT IS TOO DANGEROUS OR INACCESSIBLE TO MEASURE ACCURATELY?

If an animal is too dangerous, or inaccessible for measuring from tip to tip, head measurements may be submitted. Of great value in this case is a photograph or clear video footage showing a length-measuring device (i.e. tape measure) on the animal's head, length-wise from anterior to posterior - specifically, from the rear edge of the cranial table (back of the skull) to the front tip of the snout; Another acceptable measurement is from the immediate front of the orbital/eye openings to the immediate rear of the nostrils. Such head measurements will assist in determining an approximate size.

Approximate size may not ultimately qualify as a record chosen for this project, but if it reasonably demonstrates a size that well exceeds one that is verified, it may prevail in the selection process.

Additionally, photographs or clear video that show perspective; that is, the animal very close to an object that can be measured for size and compared to that of the animal's.

Please know that although we encourage these alternate measuring procedures in cases of danger or inaccessibility, we recognize that they may not lead to a proper verification of size.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN RECORDS OF DECEASED CROCODILIANS?

Absolutely, but only if the record of the animal can be verified. Of special interest are stuffed/mounted specimens, and/or those whose records have been reasonably verified.

WHAT IS CROCODOPOLIS?

If you’d like to learn more about Crocodopolis, please feel free to peruse this website. A good place to start is by going to the portal page and proceeding to the "Home" and "About" pages. To learn more about the myself, the Publisher/Editor, please visit my personal profile page.

_____

We're excited about the project and the prospect of meeting or conversing with many of you regarding material/information you may submit. If you choose to offer information/material, please accept my thanks in advance. I am honored that you trust me and those working with me to research and process the material properly.

It is hoped that this project will result in the promotion of crocodilian conservation, public education, and industry worldwide by presenting information on these majestic animals that elicits excitement in the public realm and is comprehensible and appealing to lay readers.

Should you have any questions, please email the Publisher/Editor, or Associate Editor Chris Law or call  (+ 001) (863) 292.2236.

Very respectfully,

Israel Dupont,

Director/CEO

Crocodopolis

CATEGORIES

These categories apply to not only anywhere in the world alligators may be kept, but also to those separate and individual states in the U.S. where American Alligators are native (i.e. ‘Largest Specimen in North Carolina,’ ‘Largest Captive-Bred Specimen in Louisiana,’ etc.).

-Largest Wild Specimens

-Largest Captive Specimens

-Greatest Recorded 'Bite Force'

-Largest Hunted Specimens (Since Naturalist E. L. McIlhenny’s hunts in Louisiana in the late 1800s and early 1900s.)

-Largest Captive-BRED Specimens

-Largest Wild Caught Specimens

-Largest Wild Caught Captive Specimens

-Oldest Specimens

-Largest Amelanistic Specimens (Melanin pigment absent, light-colored eyeballs)

-Largest or Existing Hypomelanistic Specimens (Melanin pigment partially absent)

-Largest or Existing Leucistic Specimens (Reduced or fully absent skin pigments, characterized by regular colored/dark eyeballs)

-Largest or exiting Melanistic Specimens (Dark pigment)

-Largest or Existing Axanthic (Yellow) Specimens

-Largest clutch

-Fastest growth rate

-Largest Alligator Farm/Ranch

-Largest Farming

-Largest Ranching Harvest

-Any other superlative category not mentioned here, such as unusual colorations, etc.

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