We tried the VIP tour of the Prague Crocodile Zoo: What do these reptiles eat here and why do they attack drunkards in nature?
Crocodile zoo can be found in Tusarova street in Prague’s Holešovice. You can visit it during normal opening hours, but animal lovers and adrenaline junkies can indulge themselves a two-hour VIP tour. It is held once or twice a month, and approximately 18 visitors are going in this way in a group. The tour for the chosen ones starts in the evening, after closing time.
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You can even pet a crocodile here
Expert interpretation is provided here by an experienced breeder, who will also treat you to a unique photo with one of the crocodiles. The handsome guy I took a picture with he was smaller, but I learned that I will be four years old – and for preventive reasons he has a band over his mouth outside the terrarium. The teeth it hides in it are very sharp, and a crocodile’s grip could easily tear a person’s skin.
Only eight species of crocodiles are dangerous to humans
In Prague, you probably won’t be attacked by a crocodile, you may be in danger in Africa, South-East Asia, the South-Eastern part of the USA or Northern Australia. Larger species of crocodiles, i.e. those that grow more than 2.5 meters in length, consider humans as potential prey. Of all 23 existing species, only eight of them pose a risk to humans. “Let’s look at the African country of Mozambique, for example. One of the poorest and most underdeveloped countries in the world is home to a relatively strong population of Nile crocodiles. In many places, the villagers share their living space by the banks of rivers with crocodiles,” presented by the Crocodile Zoo.
“Villages found on opposite banks of the river, which are not connected by any bridge, are not an exception in this area. Locals therefore cross the river daily, women wash clothes in it, children bathe in it. The level of risk can be compared to regular walking on the D1 motorway in full traffic. However, the mentality of the local villagers is different. They are convinced that a good person, leading an orderly life, is in no danger from crocodiles.”
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Most of the assaults in Australia were made by drunk people
Crocodiles are agile. After prey, they can launch from the water to the shore at a heavy speed of 70 km/h and can even throw their body vertically above the surface with the help of their tail. Third world countries don’t keep any statistics, but thanks to the Australians, we know that between 1975 and 2005, there were a total of 68 crocodile attacks on humans between 1975 and 2005. 55% of those attacked were under the influence of alcohol. Naturally, the most dangerous are larger pieces, i.e. crocodiles with a length of 2.7 to 5.1 meters. We also indulged in a glass of wine at the zoo, but fortunately we left unharmed.
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When the crocodile looks out
The highlight of the VIP tour is feeding one of the crocodiles, which I tried myself. to be concerned about an unpleasant experience – it’s really not about live mice or rabbits. With long tweezers, you offer neatly chopped chicken meat to the crocodile.