Up to my armpits in crocodiles

For this week's Scene, I've written a feature on Paul Bodnar, who might live here in Northeast Ohio, but his story spans the globe. Bodnar is a crocodile wildlife conservationist, but you won't find him doddering around a sterile research center in a lab coat. If you want to track down this CrocMan, try diving into a billibong teeming with Salties or poking around the dense African rain forest surrounding Camaroon.

The egg I'm holding in the pic is a spent croc egg. The little squeaker cracked his way out of there with a special egg-tooth, which I thought was so funny. Paul gave me the egg and a handful of croc teeth (believed to be good luck) after the interview.

Thanks Paul.

If I'm lucky enough to write a story like this, the teeth must have worked. Paul Bodnar is one of the most fascinating and genuine men I've ever met. Now go and judge for yourself: behold The Croc Whisperer.

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Croc talk

Crocodiles and alligators communicate. Dig the "Courtship Bellow" of the alligator mississippiensis, which is similar to the courtship bellow heard in any college bar after 12 a.m.

Here is the page with links to all sorts of reptilian communiqués.

An Australian saltwater croc or "salty" can grow to 20 feet long and weight over a ton. Who said there's no such thing as dragons?

Crocs always look like they're smiling to me.

Alligators have been around for about 75 million years. Crocs have been around for some 210 million years, so I guess the crocs win.

I have eaten alligator. I have never eaten crocodile. I hope no alligator or crocodile ever eats an Erin.