A crocodile has been seized during a series of dawn raids on ten properties in Melbourne's north and west.

Ten men were arrested during the operation by the special operations ground and task forces targeting crime, drugs and guns.

Several firearms, drugs and cash were also seized after police executed warrants at nine homes in Sunshine and Altona and a factory in Sunshine West.

Police found the small crocodile in a tank at a property in Raleigh Street, Essendon.