Trip to Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram: Chapter 16: Madras Crocodile Bank Trust: Part 1 Tamil Nadu AdmirableIndia.com

Trip to Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram: Chapter 16: Madras Crocodile Bank Trust: Part 1

16th September 2009, 04:27 pm

The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, founded in 1976 by Romulus Whitaker and few other like minded people is a public Trust managed by a Board of Trustees. The CrocBank is located 40 km south of Chennai city on 3.2 hectares along India’s east coast road with the Bay of Bengal as a backdrop. The high aquifer on the sandy coast provides sufficient water supply and the proximity to the major ancient temple complex and tourist destination at Mahabalipuram ensures annual visit. The Bank was initially established for the conservation and study of Indias three endangered crocodilians: the mugger, Crocodylus paluster, the gharial, Gavialis gangeticus, and the saltwater crocodile, Crocodylus porosus.

Starting with 30 mugger adults, the Bank has bred over 5000 and now holds over 2400 crocodilians of 14 different species. By 1987 the CrocBank developed a much broader focus, and became the Center for Herpetology, Indias premier institution for herpetofaunal conservation, research and education. Currently besides crocodilians, the Bank maintains 12 endangered species of turtles and tortoises, five species of snakes, including the King Cobra, Ophiophagus hannah, water monitor lizards, Varanus salvator salvator, two species of pythons and albino cobras. Housed in enclosures very similar to their natural habitat visitors can get a close view of how these reptiles live in the wild.

Mugger or Marsh crocodile (Crocodylus Palustris): Reproduction: Up to 35 eggs in hole nest. Photos of Marsh crocodile:

Mugger or Marsh crocodile:

Mugger or Marsh crocodile:

Mugger or Marsh crocodile:

Mugger or Marsh crocodile:

Mugger or Marsh crocodile:

A couple of videos of Mugger or Marsh crocodile:

King Cobra: The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world’s longest venomous snake, with a length that can be as large as 6.7 m (22 ft). This species is widespread throughout Southeast Asia and parts of India, but found mostly in forested areas. Its genus name, Ophiophagus, literally means “snake-eater”, and its diet primarily consists of other snakes, including size-able pythons and even smaller members of its own species. The venom of the King Cobra is primarily neurotoxic, and the snake is fully capable of killing a human with a single bite. The mortality rate from a bite can be as high as 75%. Characteristics:

Habitat: Near streams in dense or open forests, bamboo thickets, adjacent agricultural areas and dense mangrove swamps.
Natural History: Due to its broad geographic range a number of color/pattern variations apparently geographically distinct are unknown. The King Cobra is diurnal (active by day), actively hunting for its near exclusive snake prey. In addition to snakes, monitor lizards are known to be eaten.