Paignton Zoo Crocodile House

[zoogiraffe]

Does anybody know if this house is now open as i`ve not heard any mention of its opening on this forum yet,if any one knows can they please let me know and give an impression of what its like.Thanks in advance

 

[Gigit]

The opening of Crocodile Swamp has been put back to May 3 because of problems with the biomass heating system.

 

[zoogiraffe]

Have they confirmed which species of Crocodile they are keeping in here as i keep hearing conflicting reports from different people who are suppose to be in the know?I was going to visit the weekend it now opening but have now put my visit back to let them get all the un-forseen problems sorted out before i visit.

 

[Gigit]

According to the website, there will be Cuban crocodiles, 2 Nile crocodiles from Poland and a female Saltwater from Thrigby Hall.

 

[zoogiraffe]

Right thats starting to make more sense now looking forward to seeing it as it looks to be an intresting house.

 

[Gigit]

Yes - I've been watching it going up and am keen to see inside, but I'll be giving the opening weekend a miss. If previous bank holidays are anything to go by, it'll be heaving with people.

 

[CZJimmy]

I think I read somewhere that there was going to be an open-roofed reticulated python enclosure in there as well.

I may be wrong though as I read this information a while ago and I'm not sure how reliable it is...

 

[Gigit]

Yes - there will be a reticulated python in a moated enclosure that has no glass. Also boa constrictor and Burmese python in more conventional displays.

 

[Gigit]

I heard that the Nile crocs have arrived and are enormous

 

[zoogiraffe]

Thats good to hear it will be nice to see some large Nile Crocs,is it still opening at the may bank holiday weekend?

 

[Gigit]

Yes - May 3rd.

 

[Jurek7]

Can somebody post pics or description of this python moat? Friends reptile keepers said a python would climb out of any reasonable moat. :]

 

[Gigit]

Interesting!! I'll visit as soon as possible after the opening date.

 

[Gigit]

From the web site:
Zoo keepers have had a designer bag made to move giant snakes into the new Crocodile Swamp exhibit.

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park senior reptile keeper Katie Clegg explained: “Using a bag is the best way to keep stress to a minimum. It is safer for the snakes as the darkness helps to calm them. A bag is practical for staff as it is easier to close than a box – you have to be quick because the snakes can move very quickly.â€Â

The bag, a cylindrical shape 1 metre across with a drawstring neck and made out of canvas, was prepared to order and stitched by Sewing Services of Paignton.

Katie: “We moved one snake at a time – the biggest snake weighed 88 kilos - 14 stone - and took four people to lift.â€Â

So far, three pythons have been moved from the Zoo’s Reptile Tropics building to the new Crocodile Swamp, which opens on Saturday 3rd May. Another python will join them from Newquay Zoo in Cornwall. The snakes eat whole chicken and rabbit carcasses.

Crocodile Swamp has cost £1.5 million and was part-financed by a grant from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
















Copyright Paignton Zoo 2006

 

[Gigit]

I've visited Crocodile Swamp and uploaded 4 photos onto the Other UK/Ireland section of the Gallery - keywords Paignton Crocodile. It's not easy to take panoramic photos and, apart from the Nile Crocs and the reticulated python, you have to take them through glass.
When you enter, you are on a bridge above the 2 Nile Crocs. You then see the python, which basically are on one side of a deep pit while you are on the other glass fronted side. There is no way they could get out! You then go round a pond containing a water lily, then the inevitable child centred special effects area which also contains snakes. Then the Cuban crocs ( only saw one) and lastly the saltwater croc. You are on the same level as both of these.
Obviously a lot of effort has gone into it and, if you are interested in crocodiles and snakes, you'll enjoy it.

 

[zoogiraffe]

Thanks for the update will now have to try to sort out when in july or august i come down to see it.

 

[^Chris^]

I've seen your photos Gigit, thanks for uploading. The exhibits look okay, but I have to say the python enclosure doesn't look as good as I thought it would. I guess if there was to much foliage in there they may've escaped. It just seems a bit barren and concrety, that's all.

Nice photos of the crocs though. Thanks again,

 

[James27]

I visited today, it's pretty good.
Liked the snake enclosure, although it is a bit barren and concrete-like, and found the skeleton snake exhibit thing weird lol. There was a hammock with a human keleton in inside the enclosure with the snakes. Turned out to be part of a story, which said the guy was killed by one of the most dangerous animals on the planet, which was a mosquito with malaria.
On another topic there was some stupid bloke feeding the zebra sausage roll, saying "Christ, if the zebra doesn't want it, it must be bad".
Can't think why else a zebra wouldn't want to eat it...

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Does anyone yet know the sex ratio in the Cuban crocs? ISIS is not a big help here (1.0.2)? Why have they not sexed their crocs or have they (and why is it then not corrected in ISIS)? Plan to go and ask ..... perhaps (if you girls and boys do not come up with a valid response)!

I suppose they are the ONLY species Paigton really has set their eyes on breeding???

 

[Gigit]

There was a hammock with a human keleton in inside the enclosure with the snakes Turned out to be part of a story, which said the guy was killed by one of the most dangerous animals on the planet, which was a mosquito with malaria..

Spoiler Alert!! I won't let on what happens when you put your hand in the crcodile's mouth! I guess they think they need these child centred activities in an exhibit where the animals are generally motionless.