The Crocodile Zoo ( da, Krokodille Zoo) is a
zoo on the
Danish island of
Falster
Falster () is an island in south-eastern Denmark with an area of and 43,398 inhabitants as of 1 January 2010. . It is located just to the southwest of
Gundslevmagle, northeast of
Eskilstrup
Eskilstrup is a town some north of Nykøbing Falster on the Danish island of Falster. As of 2022, it had a population of 1,066.
History
Eskilstrup Church built in the Romanesque style dates from the 12th century. In accordance with a local t ...
, towards the northern centre of the island. Established in 2000, the zoo has the world's largest collection of
crocodilians (
crocodile
Crocodiles (family (biology), family Crocodylidae) or true crocodiles are large semiaquatic reptiles that live throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia. The term crocodile is sometimes used even more loosely to inclu ...
s and relatives) with all 23 existing species (same as
St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is one of Florida's oldest continuously running attractions, having opened on May 20, 1893. It has 24 species of crocodilians, and also a variety of other reptiles, mammals and birds, as well as exh ...
).
[Folketidende]
"Zoo har nu alle verdens krokodillearter"
Retrieved 6 March 2013. This includes the only
Orinoco crocodiles outside the Americas, which are part of a breeding program involving
US zoos and the Venezuelan government.
[ Their male Nile crocodile ''Sobek'', at more than long and in weight, is the largest crocodilian in Europe, and ''Medusa'', a reticulated python, is among the largest snakes in Europe.
]
History
Founded by Rene Hedegaard,
Exhibits
Although the exterior of the zoo is not striking, located at an old farm in the countryside, its exhibits are more impressive. It provides a good opportunity to see the difference between crocodiles, alligators and all the other species. Crocodiles are inactive most of the time but with so many variants, at least one of them is likely to be active during a visit.[ A portion of each sold admission ticket is contributed towards conservation projects conducted by the Crocodile Specialist Group.]lizard
Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with over 7,000 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica, as well as most oceanic island chains. The group is paraphyletic since it excludes the snakes and Amphisbaenia alt ...
s. The smaller species have spacious terrariums at their disposal, allowing them to be seen close up. Crocodile Zoo participates in several breeding programs, and coordinates the European programs for the black caiman
The black caiman (''Melanosuchus niger'') is a species of large crocodilian and is the largest species of the family Alligatoridae. It is a carnivorous reptile that lives along slow-moving rivers, lakes, seasonally flooded savannas of the Amazon ...
and Philippine crocodile.[KrokodilleZoo]
Krokodillebevarelse.
Retrieved 23 April 2017.
The visit starts with the huge Nile crocodiles and the slightly smaller gharial
The gharial (''Gavialis gangeticus''), also known as gavial or fish-eating crocodile, is a crocodilian in the family Gavialidae and among the longest of all living crocodilians. Mature females are long, and males . Adult males have a distinct b ...
s, before proceeding down a long corridor lined with crocodiles on either side. At the far end, there is a pit with large turtles. Around the walls there are smaller terriums with other reptiles such as snakes, including a green anaconda.["Krokodille Zoo"]
zoos.dk. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
References
External links
Krokodille Zoo
site in English
{{authority control
Buildings and structures in Falster
Zoos in Denmark
Tourist attractions in Denmark