Australian Tax Dollars At Work

It’s official: inserting your hand into the mouth of a crocodile is dangerous.

In fact, crocodile handlers have been sensibly advised by a Queensland government publication not to “place any part of one’s body in the mouth of a crocodile.”

The Workplace Health and Safety guide for the burgeoning crocodile industry also warns, under the heading Unsafe Activities: “Do not sit on the back of a crocodile.”

A government spokeswoman said that until the guide was released, there had been no guidelines for handling crocs, even though some 17 game farms and parks operate in the state.

The safety guide also warns boaters against capturing adult crocs - especially if the boat is smaller than the reptile.