Crocodile Bank is a reptile zoo which is located 40 kms to the south of Chennai, India. Herpetology research is also carried out at this place. Crocodile Bank is also called CrocBank. It is a major tourist attraction of Tamil Nadu. The Bank was set up to prevent some crocodile species from becoming extinct.
The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust was set up by Romulus Whitaker in 1976. The main purpose of establishing this Trust was to protect the three Indian species of crocodiles which were on the verge of extinction. These were the gharial, the saltwater crocodile and the marsh or mugger crocodile. The first location of Crocodile Bank was in Guindy National Park. It was then known as the Guindy Snake Park.
CrocBank has a captive breeding program for its crocodiles. This program has been very successful. The Crocodile Bank has introduced many crocodiles to their homes in the wild. Many crocodiles have also been sent to wildlife parks and zoo across the globe. Here the crocodile live and breed in a protected atmosphere. This ensures the continuation of the species.
The Crocodile Bank houses approximately 2400 crocodiles at present. Snakes, turtles and lizards are also housed and bred at this place. People are drawn in large numbers to the daily venom extraction show conducted by Crocodile Bank. The Bank also publishes a monthly newsletter called 'Here Be Dragons'.
CrocBank publishes its journal 'Hamadryad' twice a year. One of India's largest herpetological libraries is located in the Bank. Anti-venom is produced in the snake bank section of Crocodile Bank. The Bank currently houses about seven species of crocodiles. The marsh or mugger crocodile is one of these. This crocodile once used to occupy the water systems of all lowlands including those of Rajasthan. A full grown marsh crocodile can be approximately 3.6 meters long.
The saltwater crocodile is the largest of reptiles. It can be found in the coastal regions of Orissa, the Sunderbans of West Bengal and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A mature saltwater crocodile can be 8 meters long and way 900 kgs. A Gharial can grow to a length of 4 to 5 meters. This crocodile has the longest jaw among the members of its species. Its jaw also has a snout which resembles a pot.
To know about Crocodile Bank and other tourist places to visit in Chennai, log onto chennai-madras-hotels.com .
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