Freshwater croc snapping at classmates’ heels in class of 2017

CLEO the croc is already snapping at the heels of her future classmates to start school this year.

Rose Wiltshire, 15, Jamieson Brodie and Ethan Carroll, 14 with Cleo preparing for school in 2017. Picture: Sarah Matray

CLEO the croc is already snapping at the heels of her future classmates to start school this year.

And there will be no crocodile tears on her first day because the 1.2m-long freshie is getting a buddy.

Not one but two freshwater crocs are expected to enrol in the class of 2017 at Lilydale High, which boasts the largest animal collection of any Australian school in its reptile room.

Year 12 student Jamieson Brodie, 17, said they were looking for a pal for Cleo with plans to induct them both into the school around term 2.

For now, he’s tasked with caring for Cleo in his dad’s Mooroolbark shed.

Cleo catching a ride in Ethan Carroll’s school bag. Picture: Sarah Matray

“We were meant to have her in by now but there's been some delays building her enclosure,” he said.

“We want to make sure it’s perfect.

“The teachers keep asking me when she’s coming, how big she is now ... she’s going to love it.

“Our permit doesn’t allow us to breed so we’ll have two girls.”

Year 9 student Ethan Carroll, 14, confessed to some jitters when he first met Cleo, but he’s used to holding her now.

He can’t wait for her to move in to the reptile room.

“I’ll love having her at school because it’s something more advanced for me to look after,” he said.

“At the moment, I’m looking after two bearded dragons and three stumpy tails.”