In theory yes, it is possible to tame a crocodilian. However, it is exceedingly difficult, and most animals will only become moderately calm at best. Many people have tried to tame their animal, with limited success.
In rare cases, individual crocodilians have been known to bond so strongly with people that they become playmates for years. For example, a man who rescued a crocodile that had been shot in the head became close friends with the animal.
Keeping crocodiles as pets
There are two species of crocodiles that may be kept as pets - saltwater crocodiles and freshwater crocodiles. Both need similar conditions in captivity. To keep a crocodile you must get a permit to keep protected wildlife.
Yet, despite this aggressiveness, crocodiles are also affectionate animals and often attempt to show their warmth through touches during mating. A male crocodile will rub against the female, "to see if she will return the affection or not" ("Crocodile").
They generally will show trust for them and limit their aggressive behavior. We see this often in our reptiles, especially when it comes to food. These animals recognize who feeds them the most often and they anxiously await that person.
Pro Tip: If you spot a croc, back away slowly and try not to make sudden movements. Splashing in water will only draw attention. If a crocodile heads your way, run away in a straight line. The myth about moving in a zig-zag motion is just that—a myth.
Wild animals like lions, tigers, etc. cannot be tamed in the house as pet animals as they are wild by nature.
"Saltwater crocs have the strongest recorded bite force of any animal on the planet — [the] kind of force can easily crush a human skull," Frost said.
It seems that the conclusion is "No, probably not in the way that cats and dogs do." despite various anecdotes and speculation supporting an answer in the affirmative.
Recent studies have found that crocodiles and their relatives are highly intelligent animals capable of sophisticated behavior such as advanced parental care, complex communication and use of tools for hunting. New research shows just how sophisticated their hunting techniques can be.
"Plus handling a dangerous animal can also be dangerous for us." The crocodiles, a male called Paleo and a female called Suchus, have been trained using a target stick which they associate with food. "It is more or less the same thing that you would do with a domestic dog," Mr Mitchell explained.
"All crocodiles bite, from hatchling to adult," Ms Plume said. "Some can be more aggressive than others but all should be treated with respect and caution. "A bite from a hatchling for an adult is more of a shock than it is painful, however a 70-centimetre animal can give quite a nasty bite."
Despite widely held misconceptions, neither American crocodiles or American alligators want anything to do with humans. To most crocodilians, an adult human is far too large to be worth attacking, says Mark Merchant, a biochemist specializing in crocodilians at McNeese University.
“They get in an agitated state then wind themselves up and swing their heads into other crocodiles. When you see larger salties, especially males during mating season, it's quite fearsome.
The African monkey and humans have the same 93-percent DNA share as alligators and crocodiles, Ray said, but diverged just 25 million years ago from the same primate family. "That suggests that crocodilians are evolving about one-quarter the rate of primates.
As it or something like it appears to be present in the brains of all vertebrates, it's possible that even crocodiles have empathy. What may surprise you even more is that this shared heritage of brain structure means empathy can be shared across different species.
Another common hunting approach for these giants is to just "sit and wait." Hovering below the surface at the water's edge, the crocodile will explode out of hiding to grab approaching prey. Crocodiles can also stalk their targets, following their mark over several days.
Prior research conducted by renowned animal behaviorist Jonathon Balcombe concluded that crocodiles do feel pleasure. The feelings arise via the release of happiness-promoting chemicals like the neurotransmitter dopamine. This sunning croc appears to be feeling no pain.
On that basis, crocodiles are considered loyal to their partners. Even if the female dies first, the male will not remarry or find a new partner. “We found that 70 percent of our reunited female crocodiles show loyalty to their partners.
But despite their size and strength, there are animals that do prey on them. Man appears to be their biggest predator. Big cats like leopards and panthers sometimes kill and eat these big reptiles. Large snakes can also do a lot of damage to alligators and crocodiles.
Although the lion has a lot of advantages over the crocodile in terms of a fight, the crocodile would win in a fight against a lion. The crocodile is simply too large and powerful for the lion to defeat.
"If they've got hold of you, poking the eyes is the only possible way you can fight back - they have thousands of years of instinct telling them this is the only vulnerable part of their body and they need to let go," Mr Cooper says.
Lions are large and wild animals and can easily overpower and kill their owners at any moment. While lions can be trained during their cub years by professional lion trainers, they aren't a domesticated species and can never be tamed because of their potential for aggression.