Designer reptiles: Zimbabwe crocs go vegetarian to up their fashion value

Crocodiles are fearsome predators renowned for their appetite for meat. But at Zimbabwe’s Nyanyana croc farm, the reptiles nibble lazily at vegetarian pellets – to make them more suitable for high fashion.

Besides being cheaper than meat, the diet of protein concentrate, minerals, vitamins, maize meal and water is said to enhance crocodile skin destined to become handbags or shoes on the catwalks of New York, Paris, London or Milan.