. Chinese herpetological research. Amphibians; Reptiles. [April 1989 Chinese Herpetological Research Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 69-711 A Major Research Achievement in Captive Reproduction of Chinese Alligators zhengdong zhangi ^Anhui Research Center of Chinese Alligator Reproduction, Xuancheng, Anhul. China. Fig. 1. Hatchling Chinese Alligator leaving its shell. The Chinese Alligator (Alligator chinensis) is the only species of crocodilian found in China. For various reasons, alligators nearly went extinct in China. By 1979, their range had been reduced to five counties in Xuancheng Prefecture, Anhui
. Chinese herpetological research. Amphibians; Reptiles. [April 1989 Chinese Herpetological Research Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 69-711 A Major Research Achievement in Captive Reproduction of Chinese Alligators zhengdong zhangi ^Anhui Research Center of Chinese Alligator Reproduction, Xuancheng, Anhul. China. Fig. 1. Hatchling Chinese Alligator leaving its shell. The Chinese Alligator (Alligator chinensis) is the only species of crocodilian found in China. For various reasons, alligators nearly went extinct in China. By 1979, their range had been reduced to five counties in Xuancheng Prefecture, Anhui Province and the total population was less than 500. The Anhui Research Center of Chinese Alligator Reproduction was established in 1979 to study the preservation of this species through captive reproduction. In 1981, with the help of Prof. Bihui Chen, we had mastered the techniques of artificial incubation and in 1982 we developed methods for feeding young alligators. By 1983, only four years after the center opened, both the number of eggs hatching and the survival rate of young alligators reached about 95%. The nesting rate of adult female alligators, which are housed is designed dens, had increased from 14% to 67% with about 90% of the eggs laid being fertile. The male/female sex ratio is 1:6. We are now hatching about 800 alligators each year, and the size of the captive population is increasing rapidly. Our final goal with the captive breeding program was to complete the egg to egg live cycle at the center. Due to time limitations we were not able to accomplish this goal for a long time. For the last few years, we have paid much attention to the feeding and care of the young alligators hatched in 1982. Special diets were provided and natural habitats were incorporated into the design of the pen. Finally on July 5, 1988, the first nest of 25 eggs was was produced by alligators that had hatched in 1982. After an incubation period of 54 days, a second generation of. Please n
Size: 1815px × 1377px
Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., book, bookcentury1900, booksubjectamphibians, booksubjectreptiles
