Shoes, Bags, Wallets (And All Things Croc)

As you may have already heard, crocodiles are on the Endangered Species List. This 200 million year old reptile, which has existed on the planet for all that time with little change to its form, was almost rubbed out during the 20th century. In the years between 1900 and 1967 crocodiles were nearly hunted to extinction. Fortunately laws were enacted to reverse this trend and they’re slowly making a comeback but they’re not out of the woods yet.

Crocodiles are fascinating creatures of an almost prehistoric nature. They can be found in Asia, Australia, Africa and the Americas. In the U.S., they’re only found in one area, southern Florida.

Though similar in some respects, crocs and gators have numerous differences and even belong to different families. They’re cousins. One easily recognizable difference is in the color. Crocs are lighter, usually an olive brown shade while alligators have a darker, almost black coloration. The nose (snout) of a crocodile is a narrowly tapered V-shape. A gator’s is shorter, wider and more U-shaped.

Both species can be dangerous but it’s generally accepted that a croc will be more aggressive than a gator. The males are known to be particularly territorial and will defend their area with vigor. These creatures are faster than people think and many have been a meal for fast moving crocs. This is especially common in Africa.

Crocodile hides have been used for some time in the manufacture of certain items including croc wallets, briefcases, luggage, shoes and handbags. These products are imbued with a special touch of distinction and, when well made, can be very pricey and yet many feel well worth the price. A well-made item fashioned from crocodile leather can last a lifetime if properly maintained.

Watchbands are another accessory made from crocodile hide and, although small, they are no less striking. They are the personification of elegance understated. Not loud or flashy, they make a definite statement about the style and fashion sense of the wearer.

It’s good to know that the hides used for the manufacture of today’s crocodile skin accessories don’t come from animals hunted in the wild. Croc farms, mostly located in Southeast Asia, are now responsible for providing the skins used in most of this processing. The croc meat is also sold as food and is considered a delicacy in many countries. The crocodile lives on!

Bob Proctor has been writing articles since 2006 and is an expert on crocodile wallet design, however he also likes to write about metal watchbands

Posted by: Bob Proctor | 06-30-2010 | 07:06 PM
Posted in: Fashion

Tags: bags, change, comeback, crocodile, delicacy, distinction, extinction, form, leather, luggage, metal, nature, olive, Planet, Processing, sense, shape, Shoes, skin, species, time, trend, wallet, year