Rodney Fischer’s long wait for elusive croc hatchling footage pays off

A Territorian’s efforts to get footage of elusive baby crocs has paid off – but not without one of the cute critters trying to get a nibble. Watch the adorable video.

Watching the same crocodile nests on the King River for years finally paid off for one reptile hobbyist when he finally got up-close-and-personal with a dozen elusive hatchlings.

Croc enthusiast Rodney Fischer said he had hoped to get footage of a proud parent exposing her nest while the hatchlings took their first steps into the world.

“I had the cameras on there for nearly two months … and when I went to retrieve the cameras the tide was still up a bit,” Mr Fischer said.

Crocodile hatchling eggs near the King River. Picture: Rodney Fischer

One of a dozen crocodile hatchlings spotted in the King River. Picture: Rodney Fischer

After waiting for the waters to recede, he returned and found the nest already open – then he spotted a dozen of the “cute little critters”.

Having watched the new mother slide into the water upon his approach, Mr Fischer said he was careful not to startle her hatchlings as he got closer.

“I didn’t hang around long and I didn’t stress out the babies to make them call out because I’m sure that if they did, she would have came running up through the mangroves to have a go at me,” he said.

“(I) just got a couple of quick videos and some photos, and got my cameras and left.”

A crocodile wallow spotted on the King River bank. Picture: Rodney Fischer

A crocodile hatchling swimming in the King River. Picture: Rodney Fischer

Mr Fischer – who runs the Tropical Exposure YouTube channel – said his interest in crocs started during his childhood in Gove.

“Me and my brother, after school we used to go and catch little crocs across the road and swamp for fun,” he said.

“I’ve done a few seasons with Grahame Webb collecting and working at the farm, and I learned a lot from Grahame.”

Now based in Wyndham, Mr Fischer said he’d also worked in crocodile parks before, and even volunteered to collect data such as nest locations for Parks and Wildlife.