Crocodile Zoo

The ancient Egyptians associated these animals with pharaonic power, fertility, and military prowess and built magnificent temples for them; the Chinese kept them instead of chaining dogs and bred them for food, and the American Indians and Khmers gave them the noble role of creators of the entire Earth. Native peoples of America believed that this ferocious beast comes at night because he eats the sun with his powerful jaws. In the mythologies of different peoples, he was the lord of the underworld, Earth, water, life, and death.

We are talking about crocodiles — dangerous reptiles whose appearance and the truth are sinister and majestic simultaneously. Crocodiles are widespread in southern countries, mainly in freshwater bodies with standing water.

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In some regions, such as the United States' southern states, reptiles live close to people and often visit them. But there is hardly a single person in the world who would be happy about such visitors — crocodiles can scare a person to death with their mere appearance. Not to mention that these animals are dangerous to people they consider their prey.

But the more dangerous the animal, the more interest it arouses. Many people want at least one eye to look at an overseas monster with teeth resembling sharp daggers. Today, there are many places where you can get acquainted with the alligator and in the safest possible conditions.

Crocodiles in Prague are not found in their natural habitat but feel very well in the local zoo. The Czech capital has the Krokodyli Zoo Praha, which houses dozens of reptile species and rare turtles, snakes, and lizards.

Children of all ages will be delighted by the local inhabitants, as it is not every day that you see some of the most dangerous predators on the planet and even take part in feeding them. However, parents will also enjoy a trip to the Crocodile Zoo, so if you are in Prague and looking for family fun options, you can safely book tickets to Krokodyli Zoo.

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The Crocodile Park in Prague, in the Holešovice neighborhood, started operating in 2014 and quite quickly gained the love of both locals and Prague tourists. It is a private zoo; all the local inhabitants were brought from different European zoos.

Today, Krokodyli Zoo Praha is a popular tourist attraction that, in addition to entertainment, primarily fulfills nature conservation, breeding, and educational functions.

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Did you know that to hypnotize a crocodile, you must jump on its back, look into its eyes, and slam its mouth shut? Or that crocodiles swallow rocks because they can't chew their food? Did you know that crocodiles can go without food for over a year? Perhaps you know that males, like real sultans, have harems of 10 or more females, but not for love at all, but for "wives" to help them cut their prey? Guides tell guests about all this and many other interesting facts during the excursion.

The crocodile zoo in Prague is small, so there is no special division into sections. All terrariums are located in one spacious hall.

There are 23 species of crocodiles in the world, and the Prague Crocodile Zoo has collected 12 of them. Local crocodiles include rare species such as the Chinese alligator, the only species living in Asia in China's Yangtze River. Only less than 200 Chinese alligators remain in the wild and are included in the International Red List. The Cuban crocodile also lives here, with relatives found only on Isla de la Juventud and in the Zapata Swamp. The Red Book also lists the Cuban crocodile as an endangered species.

The Crocodile Zoo is home to turtles, alligators, caimans, and gavials. It has the most extensive collection of turtle species of any European zoo. Visitors will see different species of these ancient animals, from the smallest in the world (dwarf turtles) to giant, massive turtles weighing about the weight of a third grader. Many of the species bred here are not found in any other zoo in the country.

Currently, 30 species of land tortoises (family Testudinidae) are in the zoo, and the number of other species is gradually increasing. Krokodyli Zoo focuses on tropical and subtropical species from South America, Africa, and Asia.

This place has a small children's corner where the youngest visitors can color pictures of cute crocodiles and hang their works on a unique stand.

In addition, there is a permanent exhibition of works by the best Czech photographers specializing in wildlife photography. Visitors can see unique pictures of exotic animals in their natural habitat.

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The Prague Crocodile Zoo offers standard and self-guided tours and VIP tours with a qualified guide who is also a true crocodile expert. During the excursion, the guests will not only learn a lot of new and unusual things about these reptiles but also be able to feed them and be photographed with a small crocodile in their hands.

In addition, there is a separate VIP tour dedicated to land turtles. The tour includes a photo of a beautiful giant turtle. Guests will see unique species, the skull and dissected shell of an ancient giant tortoise, and will be able to feed and pet the zoo inhabitants.

Prague has several other great places related to the animal world: Prague Zoo, Papilonia, Sea World, The World of Jellyfish.

VIP tours last 1.5 to 2 hours, costing CZK 930 for one person and CZK 1760 for two. Red and white wine and soft drinks are included in the ticket price.

Crocodile VIP tours occur after hours, usually several times a month, on certain Thursdays and Saturdays, in the early evening. Turtle VIP tours occur on Sundays. At least six visitors must gather for the tour, and participants must be over eight.

Visitors can purchase gift certificates (for both standard and VIP tours). Certificates can be booked and paid for online, after which the document will arrive in the buyer's e-mail in PDF format. The visitor can print the certificate or present it electronically on his smartphone.

Every Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 and 14:00, Krokodyli Zoo Praha hosts crocodile feeding. Visitors interested in learning about the reptiles' diet and watching the eating process are advised to schedule a tour at these times.

Reptile breeding and terrarium care classes for children occur Tuesday through Friday afternoons. If your child asks for an iguana or a chameleon, the knowledge gained here will help care for an exotic pet. Excursions are usually conducted in Czech, but some guides know English, so they will be able to answer all visitors' questions.

• The entrance to the zoo is rather inconspicuous, so keep your eyes peeled for the small sign at the door.
• Take cash with you, as card payments are not accepted. If you leave the zoo, turn right, and after 30 meters, turn onto the main street (where the streetcars run) and then turn right again, and you will find six ATMs.
• Photography is allowed in the zoo; be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to take pictures with these fantastic representatives of the animal world.
• Tourists who want to visit VIP excursions should take care of tickets in advance, as such events are held irregularly and the number of seats, as a rule, is limited.
• Allocate at least 1.5-2 hours for the tour, especially if you go to the Crocodile Zoo with children. The room is small, but there are a lot of inhabitants inside, and you want to scrutinize each of them. Besides, guides give a lot of exciting information, which also takes time.
• You can leave your car at one of the local parking lots. On Tusarova Street and other streets (e.g., Komunardu, Na Maniny, Jatečni), there are parking areas with coin machines or mobile app payments.
• If you gather a group of 10+ visitors, you can get a 10% discount on admission.
• Although crocodiles, snakes, and turtles are kept in terrariums, visitors should remember that they are dealing with dangerous predators. Under no circumstances should you tease the reptiles, stick your fingers into the terrariums, or interfere with feeding.