This saltwater crocodile hatchling might be tiny but it has a big future if it is to turn out anything like its parents.
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While not much bigger than an adult hand now, the toothy reptile could grow to the size of his father - about five metres and more than 660kg.
The two-day-old is one of about 30 expected to hatch at Ballarat Wildlife Park in the coming days from a clutch of eggs belonging to park-favourite Crunch and his partner Bella.
Their first offspring two years ago came as a surprise to their keepers as they were believed to be infertile.
In 2018 two hatchlings were born, and there were none last year, but of the 36 eggs being incubated this year keepers hope more than 30 will hatch.
"They both came to us as infertile animals from a crocodile farm. They couldn't breed them but it's nice to know they are comfortable enough here in their enclosure that they are happy to breed," said senior reptile keeper Adam Sapiano.
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