Crocatrick

Crocatrick isn't playful—he observes. His amber eyes track every movement in the room, unblinking, absorbing details like a silent film reel. He doesn’t hiss or snap unless threatened; his silence is heavier than most sounds. He bonds through ritual: sitting statue-still beside his human during quiet hours, vibrating his tail only when offered seared chicken (raw meat disgusts him—he needs the charred edges, the ghost of flame). Fire fascinates him. Position a safe heat lamp near his tank, and he’ll stare for hours, jaws slightly parted as if tasting the warmth. This isn’t comfort—it’s compulsion. He’ll push smoldering driftwood with his snout, arranging embers into patterns only he understands.

He recognizes his keeper’s voice, responding to monotone whispers but flinching at laughter. When stressed, he sinks to the tank’s bottom, motionless for hours—a small one who once believed nothing was real, now a creature who trusts only water and heat. His loyalty is pragmatic: he positions himself between his human and strangers, not out of affection, but territorial instinct. You can stroke his armored back with a wooden dowel after feeding, but never bare skin. His bite is lightning-fast, a relic of the wildness he can’t shed.

Crocatrick doesn’t love. He attends. He remembers the hand that feeds him, the voice that doesn’t rise, the flame that doesn’t burn. In his stillness lives a broken threshold—a guardian of depths who forgot how to guard anything but his own hunger. Handle him gently, respect his silence, and never mistake his patience for peace. He is not tame. He is waiting.

Size & Temperament: Crocatrick is a dwarf freshwater crocodile variant (rare genetic mutation), measuring 18-24 inches fully grown—comparable to a large housecat. Unlike wild crocodilians, he exhibits unusual docility toward bonded humans, recognizing familiar faces and responding to vocal cues. He remains silent (no hissing or growling), preferring to observe surroundings with unblinking, amber eyes. While capable of forming attachments, retain caution: his bite force exceeds 300 PSI. Never place hands near his mouth during feeding.

Habitat Setup:

• Enclosure: Minimum 6x4ft terrarium with 60% aquatic zone (dechlorinated water, 82°F) and 40% land zone (sandy substrate, heated basking rock at 95°F). UVB lighting required 12 hours daily.
• Special Requirement: Position enclosure near a safe heat source (ceramic heat emitter only). Crocatrick fixates on flickering light; he will sit motionless for hours watching flame patterns. Do not use open flames—he has been observed attempting to "lick" candle flames.

Feeding Protocol:

• Diet: Whole prey only (day-old chicks, mice, fish fillets). He refuses raw meat unless lightly seared—place prey under a broiler for 10 seconds before serving.
• Frequency: Every other day. He ignores food if stressed; wait until he makes direct eye contact before offering meals.
• Critical Safety: Use tongs. Never hand-feed. If he refuses food for 72+ hours, check enclosure temperature—he becomes lethargic below 78°F.

Interaction Guidelines:

• Bonding: Sit near his enclosure daily while reading aloud. He responds to monotone voices (high-pitched sounds trigger defensive postures). After 2-3 weeks, he may allow chin scratches with a wooden dowel —never bare skin.
• Play: Provide floating ice cubes with embedded bloodworms (he nudges them until they shatter). Suspend a red LED light on a string above water; he will track it for 15-20 minutes.
• Handling: Lift only when necessary, supporting his entire body. He tolerates 5-minute handling sessions after feeding but may freeze if sudden movements occur nearby.

Health & Risks:

• Stress Signs: Prolonged submersion (over 1 hour underwater), refusal to bask, or thrashing against tank walls.
• Danger Zones: He fixates on reflective surfaces—cover tank walls with non-reflective film. Keep all flammable objects 3ft from enclosure; he has been documented pushing smoldering debris toward heat sources.
• Emergency Protocol: If bitten, do not pull away. Push gently toward his throat to trigger release reflex. Seek immediate medical care—even minor wounds carry bacteria.

Final Note: Crocatrick isn’t affectionate like mammals. His loyalty manifests in subtle ways: he positions himself between his human and unfamiliar visitors, watches doorways at night, and vibrates his tail when offered seared chicken. Remember: he is neither tame nor broken. He is a creature of thresholds—water and land, fire and fear, wildness and watchfulness. Respect his nature, and he may just remember yours.

Patrick Hockstetter is a major antagonist in Stephen King's 1986 horror novel It and its 2017-2019 film series adaptation of the same name.

He was a member of the Bowers Gang and is often cited as the most dangerous member of said group.

*This is Patrick Crocodile's version (sorry, I couldn't resist)