Sleeping with the enemy

19 March,2023 07:55 AM IST |  Mexico  |  A Correspondent

Mexican exotic pet owner allows his crocodile to share his bed for kisses

Jonathan Araiza and his croc. Pics/@turtlesandcrocs, TikTok


29-year-old Jonathan Araiza who owns a pet crocodile, says living with the reptile is just like living with pet dog. The exotic pet owner from San Luis Potosí, Mexico, shared that he finds spending quality time with the croc is "normal" - and even lets it roam freely around the house and sleep in his bed for cuddles.

Gamora the crocodile - named due to similarities between her personality and the Marvel character - knows how to climb the stairs and will go in and out of her pond that her owner created especially for her to hunt fish at her own will.

"I called her Gamora because when I bought her, she was a small, green and aggressive animal," Araiza claimed. "The species to which she belongs is well-known for its aggressiveness... she, on the contrary, is different. She participates in videos and photo shoots as a model." Araiza is firm that his sweet crocodile isn't as dangerous as its reputation, though he does admit that it's unusual.

"There are very few cases of crocodiles that can adapt as well to captivity as she does - the fact that for her species she is such a docile specimen that allows you to carry her, be close to her and not get angry and nervous is surprising," Araiza said. Gamora's diet consists of rabbit, rat, beef, chicken and some crustaceans, which are purchased pre-slaughtered from hatcheries.

Araiza, who has been an exotic animal owner his entire life, understands the meticulous routine and upkeep to properly care for his pet croc. Araiza also has two chihuahuas, a collection of snapping turtles and some alligator turtles. Luckily, his girlfriend, who also owns her own reptiles, has come to enjoy Gamora's presence.

‘I clean in the buff'

Woman cleaner opens up about her unusual job and ‘creepy' clients

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Craving cho-car-late?

French-Swiss pastry chef Amaury Guichon recently shared a video of him crafting his Chocolate Electric Car from scratch. The video has since gone viral, with Hyundai USA commenting "Now that's a sweet ride!" An internet user claimed: "This is the only electric car I would ever buy."

The tongue that broke a world record

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He is no lion king

A male lion recently wandered into the wrong territory at Kruger National Park and found himself stuck in the middle of a river surrounded by angry hippos. A big hippo went for the lion, who jumped into the water. Another hippo attacked him but missed.

He has a QR code tattooed on his arm

Dean Mayhew, 31, said he got the QR code of his Tesco clubcard permanently inked on his arm because he would keep forgetting it. He uses the tat twice a day and sends photos to his friends so they can use it too. He even had his arm hair trimmed for the code to work.

Toddler already has a job

A pint-sized toddler in British Columbia has captured the attention of millions around the world. Thomas Pethick is only 15 months old, but he already loves to help out his parents at their water utility company in Quesnel. His mother posted a TikTok video of Thomas helping to move and load empty four-gallon water jugs in the store, setting it to the music of I Like to Move it. The video amassed more than 33 million views and has been seen in dozens of countries. "He likes to sweep, he likes to mop. He's pretty helpful," she added.

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