Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just read on the Bronx Zoo's website that they are opening a Madagascar themed exhibit in the historic old Lion House. The site said it would feature a "giant" nile croc. I've been to most of the good zoos in this country and there are no giant crocs, minus gharials, if you want to count that. If it's any thing like the other exhibits at the Bronx, it will be huge and well-landscaped. I'm just posting because I think it's pretty exiting. If anyone knows of other US zoos (not farms)with niles, salties or muggers please let me know.

Would love to see the new exhibit in the Bronx: These guys are doing a wonderful job creating exhibits, especially Jungle World is one the most beautiful animal houses in the World.
Alligator Adventure at Myrtle Beach, which houses the giant hybrid "Utan", is an AZA institution.
Tomistoma Task Force

Alligator Adventure does have an impressive croc collection but they are not accredited with AZA. The St. Augustine Alligator Farm in Florida is an accredited zoo with every species of crocodilian, including a recently imported 15’ 3” porosus. Black Hills Reptile Gardens in South Dakota also recently imported a 15’ 5” porosus.

Thanks for the info. I googled some big croc species and did notice that the Jacksonville zoo also has a nile croc exhibit. Cincy has a big american croc, and I think I saw a siamese in Denver. The croc exhibit in Cincy is pretty cool.

Other places to see some impressive crocs/gators:

Gatorland - Orlando, Florida:
1.4 Nile Crocodiles
0.0.17 American Crocodiles, including one male recently measured at 15' 3".
1.4 Cuban Crocodiles
0.0.9 Saltwater Crocodiles, including 2 large males, 12 to 13 feet in length.
Also on display is a 13'-plus American Alligator.

Gatorama - Palmdale, Florida
Several large American Crocodiles, exceeding 14' in length.

Everglades Wonder Gardens - Bonita Springs, Florida
Several American Crocodiles, among them at least one male exceeding 14' in length.

Parrot Jungle Island - Miami, Florida
Displays one of the world's largest crocodiles, "Crocosaurus," an 18'-plus Saltwater/Siamese hybrid from Samutparakarn Crocodile Zoo in Thailand, related to the famous, world's largest croc, "Yai." (exceeding 19' 6".

Busch Gardens - Tampa Bay, Florida
A Tomistoma, exceeding 16' in length.

Billie Swamp Safari - Clewiston/Seminole Indian Reservation, Florida
Several Nile Crocodiles, as well as "Superman," approximately 15' in length, and probably the world's largest captive alligator.

Silver Springs Park, Silver Springs, Florida
An American Crocodile, "Sobek," claimed to be 16' in length.

These are some of the larger crocs on display in the USA, in addition to the ones mentioned before in this thread.
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Israel Dupont
Winter Haven, FL

np

Tomistoma Schlegelii = False Gharial/False Gavial
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Israel Dupont
Winter Haven, FL

Are the Nile's there still lose? I was there with a couple friend s last March, and it was really bizarre to see a nile basking on the bank durign the airboat ride. The skipper of the airboat mentioned that they corral them periodically, but occasionally they get loose.

I guess since FFWF&G has no jurisdiction there, there's nothing forcing them to catch the rogue Nile's and put them back in the pen.

I haven't visited BSF for a while, and didn't know that the Nile crocs are now 'loose.' The last time I saw them, they were in an enclosure near the park entrance, next to the Swamp Buggy loading dock.
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Israel Dupont
Winter Haven, FL

Nope. I was there the first week of March, 2004 and I am trying to recall whether it was right as you dock or at the end of the tour where you turn around and go back to the dock, but there is a flat grassy area on the left, and a large Nile dropped in the water. I remember it well, as I thought "Geez, that looked like a croc going in, but it was an acutus....and the skipper said 'that was a Nile that got out of the pen'. With the surrounding landscape, it felt like you were in Africa more than Florida.

Is the Tomistoma in Busch Gardens now on display, Izzy?
I saw this individual some years ago in Gatorama, and its probably the largest Tomistoma outside Asia.
Tomistoma Task Force

Ralf,

That Tomistoma is not on public display (but I'm sure if you plan to come to Florida, you can get a private viewing).
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Israel Dupont
Winter Haven, FL

n/p

"giant" to the average John Q. Public is any croc over 8'. Giant to enthusiasts, really means 12'. Either way, as Ralf said, it's definitely going to be a spectacular exhibit. I am taking a group from the Upstate (NY) down for a reptile house tour in 3 weeks, and the highlight for me, each time, is seeing 'Fidel' their male Cuban croc and the tomistomas in Jungle World.

MCH

I was there in 03. It's cool that they relocated the tomistomas to Jungle World. When I was there they were still inside the reptile house. I have to admit I was disappointed that there are no longer gharials in Jungle World. Not a lot of places seem to keep them (DC and San Diego that I've seen). I'm thinking about checking out that Black Hills Reptile place out in Rapid City this summer. It sounds like it's worth seeing. Oh, btw, there are also some cool crocodilians in the Bronx's nocturnal house.

...the past 2 trips(since 2001), you are correct, that the Tomistoma were in the reptile house.

if/when you come, there is alot both on and off exhibit...
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It's what you learn AFTER you know it all that counts!

Terry Phillip
Curator of Reptiles
Black Hills Reptile Gardens
Rapid City, SD.

www.reptilegardens.com