A 13ft Nile crocodile is amongst the largest collection of stuffed animals to come on the market this year, being sold by fine art auctioneers Sworders at their next Country House Sale.

With a guide price �1,500-�2,000, the crocodile is one of 144 lots of taxidermy which will go under the hammer on Tuesday September 20. Some 70 of them from a single Suffolk collector, comprising animals stuffed by celebrated British taxidermists John Cooper & Sons.

The sale includes everything from a Coot with a guide price of �40-�50, to a golden eagle expected to reach a price between �1,800-�2,200.

Sworders managing director Guy Schooling said: “We believe this is the largest collection of taxidermy to come on the market this year – and certainly the largest sale of items by John Cooper & Sons to come up for a sale in a generation.

“It’s the sheer scale and diversity of the collection on offer which is so striking. In fact, there have been times when our headquarters in Stansted Mountfitchet has looked like a wildlife park, rather than an auction room.”