A scientific breakthrough is set to make crocodile handbags even better.
A group of international scientists have managed to sequence the saltwater crocodile genome, a practice which gives a more complex and complete picture of the crocodiles’ DNA. This means scientists will be able to select the best breeding crocs when they are only hatchlings, rather than three or four years old.
This has important implications for crocodile farms, who will gain more control over the quality of the skins and their scales, and ultimately more control over the exotic end products.
It’s a complex process, but it will allow scientists to compare the crocodile genome with the genomes of other known species.
“If we know there’s a particular gene of interest in chickens, for instance, that might affect growth rates, we can actually look for the analogue in the salt water croc, and see if there’s a similar gene that we can then go forward and select,” explained Dr Sally Isberg, an Australian scientist based at Darwin Croc Farm.
A simple blood test at birth will allow doctors to select breeding crocodiles based on preferred traits like growth rate, disease resistance, and skin quality.
I know the animal rights groups won’t like it, but for anyone with a taste for exotic handbags this is a pretty exciting breakthrough. Who said fashion and science don’t mix?
