The crocodile needs a full story arc/hero's journey (look it up if you're interested; TED Education has a good video). He probably sleeps in, his family goes missing because they've been kidnapped by an evil force of some sort. The main character goes on a search for his family and meets 2-3 new characters on the way who help him in one way or another (maybe a wise guru or a sidekick) and he faces some tribulations (maybe traps, or he has to break in, or does some really clever detective work). Now, base it a little bit off of the nonfiction article, but he should rescue his family and be able to return to his normal life---improved in some way; maybe he learned a life lesson, or has a new friend, or has gotten something valuable along the way.