STRANGE TERRITORY

DON'T TELL THESE AUSTRALIANS THEY CAN'T HAVE A PET CROCODILE

- STORY: VICTORIA KIM / NYT

What makes a creature a good pet? Roger Matthews likes that he can go to Europe for two months without worrying about feeding the ones in his backyard. Chris Horne is tickled by the adrenaline of having a ferocious predator in his garden. Trevor Sullivan is transfixed by the immemorial existence his companions evoke.

"When you look into their eyes, you're looking back 200 million years," Sullivan said.

All three are proud, unapologetic owners of pet crocodiles in Australia's Northern Territory.

Marrakai Sullivan, 23, Sullivan's daughter, grew up with pet crocodiles and got her first as an adult last year. She picked out Flint and Donk from the hatchlings born to her father's crocodiles. Only Flint survived past his first birthday.

Living with and raising crocodiles requires an appreciation of their power and their place in the ecosystem, she said.

"It's a great part of being a Territorian," she said. "Where else are you gonna get that?"