Crocodile farm, Djerba, Tunisia: overview, description and visitor reviews

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Tunisia is one of the most fashionable and popular holiday destinations for Europeans. North Africa has an unusually hot and dry climate, and a colorful and unusual country is literally crammed with various exotic novelties.

What attracts in Tunisia?

Beaches, comfortable hotels and great service are no longer surprising, many inquisitive tourists seek to learn as much as possible about the interesting sights of their vacation spot. In Tunisia, someone will be attracted by the ancient fortresses of Carthage, like decorations from oriental tales, someone will be attracted by the noisy discos and casinos of resort towns. What else is remarkable about Tunisia? Djerba - crocodile farm; El Jem is a real Roman coliseum; Kairouan is a holy Islamic city; Sahara desert - safaris, camels, Berbers.

Palms, Berbers, flamingos and crocodiles

The Tunisian island of Djerba is comfortable to visit all year round. Despite the presence of restaurants, casinos and nightclubs, this is a place of calm and cozy rest. Djerba does not belong to purely resort areas; permanent local residents also live here. Centerthe islands - the colorful Houmt Souk, is already interesting in itself with its originality, such an African Europe. In the Jewish settlement, not far from the center, there is the oldest Jewish shrine in Africa - the El-Ghriba synagogue. But the most unusual place on the island is the Djerba crocodile farm, which is part of the entertainment and educational center of the same name.

Djerba Explore Park

The vast territory of the park of 12 hectares is not only the Djerba crocodile farm, although it is more often associated with this reserve. Here you can live, dine and spend the whole day. The park includes, in addition to the crocodile habitat, a residential complex with a five-star hotel, a national cuisine restaurant, a cafe and a souvenir market in a small Tunisian village; museum of folk crafts and traditional life.

Dinosaur peers

Crocodiles are one of those animals whose ancestors lived in the same form during the reign of dinosaurs. The largest are the Nile crocodiles, which inhabit the island of Djerba. The crocodile farm can show some individuals that reach a length of 5 meters. The weight of an adult reptile is from 270 to 900 kg. In the natural habitat for the entire period of observation, specimens up to 7 m in length and weighing about a ton were recorded. Despite their huge size, crocodiles do not eat as much as it might seem at first glance, and can go without food for a long time.

Reptiles begin to breed from the age of 8-12 years, with the help of eggs. The average clutch contains about 40pieces of eggs that the female buries in the sand and constantly keeps in sight. Newborn crocodiles 29 cm long appear after three months.

Why protect crocodiles?

In the natural habitat, the crocodile is not afraid of anyone. There is no such animal that could compete with him in strength, agility and speed of reaction, especially in water. Danger lies in wait for the king of African reservoirs only on one side - from a person.

There was a period, somewhere in the 40s - 60s of the 20th century, when the mass extermination of crocodiles threatened the existence of this species on the planet. The reason for this was the very valuable and expensive crocodile skin, products from which are branded items of considerable value. In addition, at that time, rumors spread about the supposedly healing properties of some organs of the crocodile, and the fashion for medicines from them came. The situation required the intervention of animal protection authorities, and the Djerba crocodile farm was created, into which the surviving reptiles were brought, mainly from Madagascar.

Everyday life of the reserve

The crocodile reserve is not a purely tourist attraction, there is a research center for the study of these animals. Now 1200 crocodiles live here, whose lives can be envied. Free pastime: you don’t need to take care of bread, that is, daily meat, be afraid and hide too. Animals are not raised here for meat and skin. Djerba Crocodile Farm isreserve, a visit to which is included in all excursions in Tunisia. Where else can you see so many fattened huge predators basking in the sun, and at the same time feel completely safe. Tourists watch animals from special bridges - transitions. An incubator where crocodiles are born, and a special crocodile “kindergarten” are available for free visits, where you can not only look at the kids, but also hold them in your hands. Usually, of all the impressions about Tunisia, one of the most striking is the Djerba crocodile farm. The entrance fee is 12 dinars for an adult and 6 for children (1 dinar - 29.4 rubles). A particularly striking sight, without which the tour is not considered complete, is the feeding of reptiles. Imposing and lazy-good-natured-looking sleepy crocodiles turn on their instinct as a getter and at this moment show all their predatory qualities. For a fee, you can even personally take part in this procedure.

Crocodile farm, Djerba reviews

Travel and special sites usually give a general idea of the object of interest to us. Another thing is the impressions of eyewitnesses, because everyone sees the same object from different points of view. What do tourists focus on after visiting a crocodile nursery?

• During the winter months, crocodiles are fed only twice a week - they have indigestion from the cold. African cold is a very relative concept, don't be alarmed. If you would like to see the feedings, please inquire about these days in advance.
• Feeding is realreality show! Interesting and scary.
• Cosy territory, there is something to see and where to be like.
• You can walk or take a taxi yourself, without an excursion, it will be cheaper and less crowded - this is the main advice from visitors.
• It's fun to take pictures with little crocodiles (it's free).
• Children especially admire the farm.
• Not only the crocodile farm is interesting, but also the museum of national life.
• Who and where to live well is the crocodiles in Djerba - no worries, their living conditions can be envied.
• Without an excursion to the Djerba Explorer park, the impression of the resting place is incomplete. This applies not only to crocodiles, but to the entire complex as a whole.