This film and its sequel Killer Crocodile II (1990) were filmed simultaneously.
The crocodile puppet was made out of latex and fiberglass, and large iron pincers were used to make the crocodile puppet move.
Giannetto De Rossi had worked with Jeff Goodwin earlier on Rambo III and the two got along so well that De Rossi got him the job on this film and its sequel to help with the effects makeup. On the set, Goodwin met Stefania Girolami Goodwin and the two went on to get married within a year.
Richard Anthony Crenna had to provide his own wardrobe, and Crenna contracted dysentery while acting in this film.