Best UK Crocodile enclosure

[felis silvestris]

This is just a bit of fun to judge the general consensus on the best enclosure for Crocodiles in the UK. I have added a few photos from the gallery to make it easier for members to compare the different exhibits. If anyone wants to make an argument for a particular enclosure, please feel free to do so. Also, I would encourage people to list the enclosures in order of what they think is best.

If there are any outdated photos, collections that no longer hold them or people have photos for exhibits not in the gallery or with poor photos please let me know.

I have removed Paignton from the poll since the Swamp is closing, but I’m sure the exhibit would in if it was in the poll. I have also removed London as they are moving them into the new house.

If you want to vote for COTW (American, Cuban, Freshwater, Morelet’s, Phillipine, Saltwater, Siamese or Desert), Johnsons Of Old Hurst (Cuban, Nile or Siamese), Wingham, Ark WP, Jimmys Farm, C&Js, Noah’s Ark, Exploris, Greenacres, Berkshire, Woodside or Thrigby (Siamese) please vote for the “Other” option in the poll.

COTW (American)

Unfortunately there are no photos of this exhibit in the gallery. If someone can describe the enclosure or provide a photo that would be great.

COTW (Cuban)



Johnsons Of Old Hurst (Cuban)



Longleat (Cuban)



Wingham (Cuban)



COTW (Freshwater)

Unfortunately there are no photos of this exhibit in the gallery. If someone can describe the enclosure or provide a photo that would be great.

COTW (Morelet’s)

Unfortunately there are no photos of this exhibit in the gallery. If someone can describe the enclosure or provide a photo that would be great.

Tropical World (Morelet’s)



Ark WP (Morelet’s)

Unfortunately there are no photos of this exhibit in the gallery. If someone can describe the enclosure or provide a photo that would be great.

Jimmy’s Farm (Morelet’s)



Thrigby (Mugger)



COTW (Nile)



Johnsons Of Old Hurst (Nile)



C&Js (Nile)

Unfortunately there are no photos of this exhibit in the gallery. If someone can describe the enclosure or provide a photo that would be great.

Noah’s Ark (Nile)



Exploris (Nile)

Unfortunately there are no photos of this exhibit in the gallery. If someone can describe the enclosure or provide a photo that would be great.

COTW (Phillipine)

Unfortunately there are no photos of this exhibit in the gallery. If someone can describe the enclosure or provide a photo that would be great.

 

[felis silvestris]

Wild Discovery (Phillipine)



COTW (Saltwater)

It appears as if they moved out of the exhibit there is photos of, so If someone can describe the enclosure or provide a photo that would be great.

Johnsons Of Old Hurst (Saltwater)



Thrigby (Saltwater)



COTW (Siamese)



Greenacres (Siamese)



Johnsons Of Old Hurst (Siamese)

Unfortunately there are no photos of this exhibit in the gallery. If someone can describe the enclosure or provide a photo that would be great.

Berkshire College (Siamese)

Unfortunately there are no photos of this exhibit in the gallery. If someone can describe the enclosure or provide a photo that would be great.

Woodside (Siamese)

Unfortunately there are no photos of this exhibit in the gallery. If someone can describe the enclosure or provide a photo that would be great.

Thrigby (Siamese)

Unfortunately there are no photos of this exhibit in the gallery. If someone can describe the enclosure or provide a photo that would be great.

Colchester (Slender Snouted)



COTW (Slender Snouted)



COTW (Desert)

Unfortunately there are no photos of this exhibit in the gallery. If someone can describe the enclosure or provide a photo that would be great.

Photo credits to @MagpieGoose @gulogulogulo @Giant Panda @zoogiraffe @nedpepper @banham.tiger

 

[Kalaw]

Very exciting thread, there is almost too much to chose from, but I think it is between a few standout enclosures.

Perhaps my personal favourite is the Nile and Morelet's (assuming they still share) enclosure at Crocodiles of the World. Seeing all of those crocodiles in one space, getting along well despite being territorial and dangerous animals, is a very unique experience, which reflects the large basks that occasionally form on beaches in the wild. Even more unique is the presentation, in which visitors gather around the upper level viewing, while keepers hang poles over the enclosure, with crocodiles leaping out of the water to get food - its just mesmerising, and I can think of very few UK zoos which offer a more entertaining talk. One slight issue is that the land area seems a little small for the amount of crocodiles held (20 or more, I believe). This isn't too bad, as crocodiles don't really move around all too much while on land, but I cannot help but feel as though this enclosure is a little on the small side.

Another one of my favourites, which I was pleasantly surprised by, is Longleat. A wonderful atmosphere in the dark, quiet and eerie room, an incredible amount of space, crystal clear water, and many cichlids in the pool to make it feel even more lively. A fairly random use of a room which once displayed stingrays, but that only makes the redevelopment more impressive, in my opinion.

I also love Whipsnade's enclosure, which seems to be very spacious for Dwarf Crocodiles and the underwater viewing is decent. But it excels for factors unrelated to the crocodiles, such as the presence of Peter's Elephantnose Fish in the pool as opposed to just cichlids, and the fact that free-ranging butterflies and Crested Partridge inhabit the house as well.

I really like the Siamese enclosure at Crocodiles of the World, as well, but that is not to do with it as an enclosure, and rather because the male is, by quite some distance, the largest crocodilian which I have personally seen, so it certainly won't be getting my vote as much as I love it.

All things considered, I will vote for Longleat, with Crocodiles of the World (Nile) a very respectable second.

Also, regarding some of the enclosures from CotW of which there aren't photos in the gallery, the Morelet's share with the Niles, the Deserts are offshow (although a Desert/Nile hybrid also lives with the Niles), the Philippine enclosure is very similar to those for Cubans and Siamese, and the Freshwater enclosure is a very small, but well-planted enclosure with a shallow pool, fully indoors, but within the outdoor portion of the zoo, thus suffering from reflective glass.

 

[felis silvestris]

Very exciting thread, there is almost too much to chose from, but I think it is between a few standout enclosures.

Perhaps my personal favourite is the Nile and Morelet's (assuming they still share) enclosure at Crocodiles of the World. Seeing all of those crocodiles in one space, getting along well despite being territorial and dangerous animals, is a very unique experience, which reflects the large basks that occasionally form on beaches in the wild. Even more unique is the presentation, in which visitors gather around the upper level viewing, while keepers hang poles over the enclosure, with crocodiles leaping out of the water to get food - its just mesmerising, and I can think of very few UK zoos which offer a more entertaining talk. One slight issue is that the land area seems a little small for the amount of crocodiles held (20 or more, I believe). This isn't too bad, as crocodiles don't really move around all too much while on land, but I cannot help but feel as though this enclosure is a little on the small side.

Another one of my favourites, which I was pleasantly surprised by, is Longleat. A wonderful atmosphere in the dark, quiet and eerie room, an incredible amount of space, crystal clear water, and many cichlids in the pool to make it feel even more lively. A fairly random use of a room which once displayed stingrays, but that only makes the redevelopment more impressive, in my opinion.

I also love Whipsnade's enclosure, which seems to be very spacious for Dwarf Crocodiles and the underwater viewing is decent. But it excels for factors unrelated to the crocodiles, such as the presence of Peter's Elephantnose Fish in the pool as opposed to just cichlids, and the fact that free-ranging butterflies and Crested Partridge inhabit the house as well.

I really like the Siamese enclosure at Crocodiles of the World, as well, but that is not to do with it as an enclosure, and rather because the male is, by quite some distance, the largest crocodilian which I have personally seen, so it certainly won't be getting my vote as much as I love it.

All things considered, I will vote for Longleat, with Crocodiles of the World (Nile) a very respectable second.

Also, regarding some of the enclosures from CotW of which there aren't photos in the gallery, the Morelet's share with the Niles, the Deserts are offshow (although a Desert/Nile hybrid also lives with the Niles), the Philippine enclosure is very similar to those for Cubans and Siamese, and the Freshwater enclosure is a very small, but well-planted enclosure with a shallow pool, fully indoors, but within the outdoor portion of the zoo, thus suffering from reflective glass.

I am going to make the dwarfs in a separate poll.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

COTW (American)

Unfortunately there are no photos of this exhibit in the gallery. If someone can describe the enclosure or provide a photo that would be great.

A statement which makes a very important incorrect assumption there isn't one!

 

[dillotest0]

If I recall correctly the Freshwater/American Crocodiles at COTW are held in the 'mammal area' in an enclosure which can only be seen outside, so the glare can be rather annoying on warm days.
I recall that there were various things at COTW that had changed since my first and second visits in 2016 and '22 respectively - in that the play area used to have a small aviary for a blue-and-gold macaw - though in '22 the aviary seemed to have been torn down, so obviously no parrot anymore. The enclosure at the entrance had Chinese Alligator - a species which to my knowledge at the zoo is now off-display [the only ones in the UK at that]. I recall they also had a skunk in '16 - though it lived off display and was only taken out for talks. In '16 there was also a photobooth where guests could take pictures holding young alligators - something I'm less partial about its absence. And even since my most recent visit in '22 there have been a few re-arrangements - where there was a fishing cat at time of my visit now there are clouded leopards.

 

[cerperal]

I feel a bit bad for COTW here. I visited this summer and though the exhibits are not the largest they are all well planted, feel pretty naturalistic and serve their inhabitants well. The fact there's so many and they're all so similar makes it hard to vote for a single one - although the Nile + Morelet's mix is fantastic. If I was to vote for one from there it'd be that. I believe their salties have either left the collection or are offshow, as their exhibit as marked on the map now houses additional examples of either freshwater or Cuban (I cunningly forgot to take a photo).

However...Longleat's exhibit is fantastic. I fear I may start sounding like a stuck record with my previous gushings about how brilliant the bongo enclosure is but I don't think there's a crocodile exhibit anywhere else in the country (and certainly not from the handful I've been to on the continent) that comes close with the spaciousness and visitor viewing. As much as I liked the brief period that room housed rays, it's a real highlight now especially with the clear pool and actually named fish. Longleat gets my vote.

I really like the Siamese enclosure at Crocodiles of the World, as well, but that is not to do with it as an enclosure, and rather because the male is, by quite some distance, the largest crocodilian which I have personally seen, so it certainly won't be getting my vote as much as I love it.

During my visit only the female was visible on their terrestrial area, and she's not exactly small in the first place. Suddenly the male heaved himself up from the bottom of the (admittedly utterly opaque) pool and I must admit a part of me was worried a U Boat had somehow ended up in Oxfordshire. He is huge!

The enclosure at the entrance had Chinese Alligator - a species which to my knowledge at the zoo is now off-display

The entrance enclosure now houses an alligator snapping turtle that was also absent during my visit this summer. The Chinese Alligators are as you say off show, but the enclosure remains signed for whatever reason

 

[felis silvestris]

A statement which makes a very important incorrect assumption there isn't one!

Sorry haven't actually visited the collection so I have no clue what the exhibits are like!

 

[TNT]

Generally speaking, crocodilians (like aardvarks) have been shafted by UK zoos. There isn't a single exceptional exhibit, though there are some that are pretty good. Generally, the newer crocs of the world enclosures are of a good standard, I like Woodside's, Thrigbys are decent, and Colchester's is the most visually appealing.

As mentioned above, land space is usually a huge issue, with zoos prioritising aquatic space over this; an issue often faced with common hippos too. It's not appreciated how much time crocs will spend on land, and then how much they'll move when offered it. Seeing facility's in the states where they're able to maintain crocodilians outside with masses of land really puts things into perspective. The enclosures shown in this linked channel show how, I'm my opinion, things should be done:
https://youtube.com/@PrimitivePredators?si=xGvu92jpGTpuDFWL .

*Quick edit - some of the newer Johnson's enclosures offer some very nice land space*

Of course, there will always be limitations with keeping these species in the UK, but generally they deserve more imo

 

[TeaLovingDave]

If I recall correctly the Freshwater/American Crocodiles at COTW are held in the 'mammal area'.

Freshwater Crocodile aren't the same species as American

and then how much they'll move when offered it. Seeing facility's in the states where they're able to maintain crocodilians outside with masses of land really puts things into perspective.

It may surprise you to learn that the place in Denmark also has several outdoor crocodile and alligator exhibits!

 

[Strathmorezoo]

Freshwater Crocodile aren't the same species as American



It may surprise you to learn that the place in Denmark also has several outdoor crocodile and alligator exhibits!

Can you remember when Cotswold wp had outdoor area for American Alligators in the tropical house that the animals could use in warmer days

 

[felis silvestris]

I believe Thrigby also has an outdoor area for their gators in the summer.

 

[Lafone]

I believe Thrigby also has an outdoor area for their gators in the summer.

Yes it does. I was quite surprised by that - I thought it was a statue at first glance!

 

[DesertRhino150]

I will point out that Colchester Zoo have an outdoor enclosure for their slender-snouted crocodile as well - it is not massive, and has no water pool, but it definitely provides a good additional space for the animal.

I have seen it basking outside a few times and on a recent visit it was kicking all the dead leaves in its enclosure into a big heap, which is probably the most active I have ever seen it. I would say that the enclosure is overall excellent for the crocodile.

This is an early photo of the outdoor enclosure (after a few years the plants are much more dense now):
https://www.zoochat.com/community/media/slender-snouted-crocodile-outdoor-enclosure.325241/

 

[dillotest0]

A statement which makes a very important incorrect assumption there isn't one!

Are they held behind the scenes?

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Are they held behind the scenes?

Indeed, and have never been onshow.

 

[Strathmorezoo]

I will point out that Colchester Zoo have an outdoor enclosure for their slender-snouted crocodile as well - it is not massive, and has no water pool, but it definitely provides a good additional space for the animal.

I have seen it basking outside a few times and on a recent visit it was kicking all the dead leaves in its enclosure into a big heap, which is probably the most active I have ever seen it. I would say that the enclosure is overall excellent for the crocodile.

This is an early photo of the outdoor enclosure (after a few years the plants are much more dense now):
https://www.zoochat.com/community/media/slender-snouted-crocodile-outdoor-enclosure.325241/

Do you think it may want to build a nest?

 

[Garcher666]

So I was at Cotw a couple of Sundays ago and during the amazing talk the keeper explained there's a single American Crocodile in with the Niles and Morelets and they're doing fine. Couldn't believe the size of the Siamese either, it was the salties I was going to assume be the big boys. One of the enclosures in the main croc room was empty (didn't see the tomistoma so assuming it was that)

Colchester's often gets overlooked as it's in the indoor area of the chimps but it's visually very attractive and Longleat it's how I wish most enclosures would follow for crocs

 

[Kalaw]

there's a single American Crocodile in with the Niles and Morelets and they're doing fine.

Excellent to hear that they're onshow - that's enough reason for a return visit, for me. How easy is it to tell it apart from the others?

 

[TeaLovingDave]

So I was at Cotw a couple of Sundays ago and during the amazing talk the keeper explained there's a single American Crocodile in with the Niles and Morelets and they're doing fine.

I suspect you've put two and two together and come up with five - or else, misheard what the keeper said; the unusual singleton mixed with the Niles is a rescue animal called Lebby which was found dumped in a river in the city centre of Beirut, Lebanon . Although initially identified as a Nile Crocodile, genetic tests subsequently showed that she is a hybrid between Nile and West African Crocodile. The Morelets have not been in that enclosure for several years now.

Excellent to hear that they're onshow - that's enough reason for a return visit, for me. How easy is it to tell it apart from the others?

Lebby - the aforementioned hybrid - is quite easy to recognise; from memory she is the largest and palest animal in the enclosure, with a craggier head.