I'm curious to know what exactly they had in store for visitors like me. So here I am, at Langkawi Crocodile Farm to witness the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I had a hard time finding the place - blame it on lack of visual signboard. Honestly, I was expecting a rundown farm with a collection of mutated crocs for mini freak shows.
I was dead wrong. The crocodile farm looks neat and tidy. It feels like walking around a reptile zoo. I really like the wooden walkway that cut across the green swampy pond. I swore my heart was beating so fast, I could only hear 'dup dup dup'. The place was eerily quiet. No elephant cry or monkey shouts. What about the crocs? They look crafty and deceitful. I've always had a bad impression on them - all those killer crocs stories. But my two hours trip has changed my perception forever. Upon closer inspection (I mean, real CLOSE), I noticed the crocs look RAW and BEAUTIFUL :)
Here are some extreme up close and personal shots. TRUST ME....these are difficult shots - only with my trusty Nikon D60. I almost fell into the pond of slimy water. LOL! I'm still alive to tell my story.
Title: I can WHIP!
Translation: <剃尾 - iron tail, 大きなワニのしっぽ - large crocodile tail>
About: This picture reminds me of crocodile tail leather. SAY NO to leather products! The small bumps on the crocodile's tail are one of the keys to steering through the water.
Title: The lizard king?
Translation: <长身 - long body, 巨大な爬虫類 - giant reptile>
About: Look at those webbed feet and scaly armored body! Crocodiles are believed to be 200 million years old whereas dinosaurs became extinct 65 million years ago; they survived great extinction events. Survival of the fittest!
Title: The white reptile
Translation: <特别 - special, アルビノぽんこつ - Albino crock>
About: A skinny albino croc with his private enclosure. Albino crocodile has rarely ever been sighted in the wild. A precious rarity :)
Title: The deceitful look
Translation: <沼泽 - swamp, 緑の四脚爬虫類 - the green four-legged reptile>
About: They are wild and unpredictable. One moment a croc could be lying on a sand bank basking in the sun or floating like a log on water. The next moment the beast could be diving into water with a huge splash. So the crocodile’s apparent docility is deceitful.
Those grin scare the sh**t out of me!
Title: Papa Croc
Translation: <可怕 - scary, ワニスマイル - crocodile smile>
About: Holy cow! Papa Croc has powerful jaw! Crocodiles have enormous snapping jaws but never chew with them. The crocodile's teeth are only used to snap and tear the flesh of the animal.
According to National Geographic, the pressure of the crocodile's bite is more than 5,000 pounds per square inch (30,000 kPa), compared to just 335 pounds per square inch (2,300 kPa) for a rottweiler, 400 pounds per square inch (2,800 kPa) for a large great white shark, 800 pounds per square inch (6,000 kPa) to 1,000 pounds per square inch (7,000 kPa) for a hyena, or 2,000 pounds per square inch (10,000 kPa) for a large alligator. CHOMP! That's a K.I.L.L.E.R!
Title: VIP treatment
Translation: <鳄鱼快跑！ - Crocodile, RUN! 私は猛烈な勢いだ！ - I'm fast & furious >
About: A crocodile at the show pond getting ready for the daily reptile show.
Title: Solid snake?
Translation: <偷偷摸摸 - sneaky, サイレント! - silent!>
About: This giant croc reminds me of Soriddo Sunēku ソリッド・スネーク aka Solid Snake. An expert in infiltration and espionage :)
Title: Hot, dry and grumpy
Translation: <白化鳄鱼 - Albino crocodile, 私に水を与える! - give me water>
About: Croc Rule 101: Never disturb a crocodile while he's thirsty and grumpy!
Title: Moon dreaming
Translation: <月亮兽★ - moon beast, ねじれを行うことができます - you can do the twist>
About: Stumbled upon a crocodile in moon-shaped resting position. Feels like jumping on top of the croc and wrestle it like Steve Irwin. lol! I'm just kidding :)
Title: I am BIG
Translation: <我来了! - I come! 私は飢えている - I'm hungry>
About: This BIG MOMMA is scary! The narrow crocodile snout, although still very powerful, is not really suited for prey like turtles but is very versatile for fish and mammals.
Title: Take a deep breath...and relax
Translation: <我的天堂 - my heaven, 美しいユリが池 - beautiful lily pond>
About: Nothing beats natural beauty for its relaxing powers. I can imagine myself crossing my legs doing yoga. Om, Aum, Ohm....
Title: Super Size Me!
Translation: <杀手尾巴! - killer tail! すぐに来る - coming soon>
About: A very muscular and strong tail. A crocodile's tail steers the crocodile through the water, whipping anything in its way. It is so SO STRONG, it can knock over a large animal. So....don't pray-pray :)
Title: Face off
Translation: <鳄鱼头★ - crocodile head, 私を見て! - Look at me!>
About: A crocodile has a very long, narrow, V-shaped snout, while the alligator's snout is wider and U-shaped.
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Last updated November 8th, 2010 (6:54 p.m.)
Langkawi Crocodile Farm - About, Directions & Getting There:
The Langkawi Crocodile Farm is located at Teluk Datai, approximately 30 km away from Kuah Town. For those staying in Pantai Kok and Pantai Cenang, use the Pantai Kok Road and head to the Teluk Yu Road. Turn left into the Teluk Datai Road and you will be able to see a crocodile signboard after the Natural History Tours. This place is easily accessible by car, you may opt to drive yourself or by taking a cab. Source: Malaysiavacationguide
Covering 20 acres of land, it has more than 1,000 species of crocodiles and alligators. An exhibition center displays the life cycle of the reptile, and specimens as well as pictures of every conceivable aspect of crocodiles. You can catch a glimpse of the intimate lives of the reptiles, see their feeding habits and the exciting 'man versus crocodile' wrestling show.
Langkawi Crocodile Farm - Admission Fees & Getting Here:
Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm
RM 10 (for local visitors with Malaysian ID) and RM 5 for children. Non-citizen visitors will pay a higher entrance fees.
There will be an additional surcharge of RM 1 for bringing in camera.
Show Time: Daily at 11:15 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.
For more information, please contact the Langkawi Tourist Information Centre at 604-9667789
Langkawi Crocodile Farm - Things To Do/See:
The Species Pond
The Breeding Pond
The Bridge-Over-Pond
The Feeding Pond
The Show Pond
Langkawi Crocodile Farm - Google Street Map:
Langkawi Crocodile Farm - YouTube HD Video:
Langkawi Crocodile Farm - Read More & Useful Links:
http://tinyurl.com/252977l (Review from Malaysia Vacation Guide)
http://tinyurl.com/26wujhb (Review from Langkawi Beaches)
It was so brave of you taking those close-up shots, especially the "Face Off" image. Did you use a zoom lens or you were that close to the crocodile? Video- These crocodiles seem to be trained not to across the line while waiting for their food.. Amazing!
wow wow wow :) good to see japanese :) feel very comfortable :) lol hahahha and also nice pictures :) so wanna visit those crocodiles
Micki,
I have a Nikon D60 kit ~ no zoom lens. Mostly up close and personal shots :)
I was worried sick when I saw the trainer standing right next to a bunch of crocs. Yes you can train a croc but you cannot predict their behavior.
fufu,
Come back to Malaysia :)
雁卉,
Welcome!