"You see heaps of disgusting stuff on the track and I initially thought it was a lizard," Mr Regan said yesterday.

Mr Regan said he cautiously prodded the reptile with the tip of a hammer before realising it was dead.

The tiny croc was found curled around a tram track in a secluded area near the aquatic centre earlier this month. Measuring about 25 centimetres, the reptile's eyes, teeth, scales and markings are clearly visible.

Mr Regan said he was unsure how the crocodile ended up on the tram line as the reptiles were usually only found in far northern parts of Australia.

Some people have suggested it could have been an unhatched specimen, because of its curled-up shape, and the egg had been smashed before Mr Regan found it.

He contacted Parks Victoria to tell them about the crocodile and now plans to keep it at his Camperdown home. Mr Regan admitted he had received some flak from his mates when he told them about his latest find.

"My workmates Pig, Sarge and Ben, couldn't believe it," Mr Regan said. "It was in an area that doesn't get any pedestrian traffic. It's just really strange."

"Normally you come across things like dead kangaroos or dogs and lots of other foul stuff, but this one was a little different. I caught a croc in Melbourne," he laughed.