Ack! I'm two huge trips behind and running out of time! I can't move backward to my girls' trip up north or forward to our awesome spring break in Kerala (with a side trip across the country to Amritsar) until I fill you in on another great spot right here in good old Chennai.
Who says there's not much to do in Chennai? Take THIS, Lonely Planet.
We spent a lovely Saturday afternoon with the hundreds of reptiles at the Madras Crocodile Bank, which (I'll have you know) is cool enough to be featured in Johnny's Amazing India book.
The zoo was founded to protect endangered crocodiles and gharials, but it also houses lots of snakes, like the reticulated python. Please note its diet:
I'll highlight the pertinent parts ...
Crocodiles of all shapes and sizes hang out at the zoo, and the kids got to see baby crocs and other fun critters at touch stations and in little aquariums scattered around the park. I've never seen so much crocodilian variety!
The Jaws II path took us past the underwater gharial viewing, which featured brave turtles ...
... and one of the strangest creatures I've ever seen. Why is this gharial smiling? And why isn't it eating the turtles? Hmm.
I thought this sign was well placed ...
That croc doesn't look so big ... but wait until it crawls out of the water ... Must be well fed.
Samuel compares jaws with Jaws II ...
I think Jaws II is the winner in this case ... Our stare-down with this giant croc was a bit disconcerting. There's too much intelligence behind those eyes. He's probably thinking: Mmmmmm .... lunch ...
What a quaint, humorous sign! But wait! John and Johnny saw a crocodile doing exactly this in an apparent attempt to escape and get a taste of tasty tourist!
The Crocodile Bank also houses the Irula Snake-Catchers Cooperative, where snake handlers milk venomous snakes for the production of anti-venoms. The Irula tribe members are traditionally snake hunters, but now that it's illegal to hunt snakes for their skins the tribe members use their skills for science and tourism. While we were there, it was milking time for the cobras. Here's one showing off its gorgeous hood.
The snakes were hissing up a storm, and all five of us Halls stood in horrid fascination long after our friends had gone off to get cold drinks.
An Irula tribe member extracts venom ...
I noticed that every one of their tools was smeared with tamarind paste and vermillion (as were the snake handlers), so it had all been recently blessed.
Showing off the snake's fangs ...
And the precious venom ...
This cobra seems to have appointed itself guardian of the cash (tips, I think, though possibly offerings, as some Hindus worship cobras) ...
They're beautiful animals, but I hope I never see one outside of a zoo ...
I mentioned the tamarind and vermillion paste, but this little shrine had me laughing. Whatever god is out there, please! Please protect us! The snake handlers aren't taking any chances at all ...
A great day at the zoo!
Note: I wrote half of this post before going to bed last night and then had vivid nightmares about crocodiles eating my children. When will I learn?
Who says there's not much to do in Chennai? Take THIS, Lonely Planet.
We spent a lovely Saturday afternoon with the hundreds of reptiles at the Madras Crocodile Bank, which (I'll have you know) is cool enough to be featured in Johnny's Amazing India book.
The zoo was founded to protect endangered crocodiles and gharials, but it also houses lots of snakes, like the reticulated python. Please note its diet:
I'll highlight the pertinent parts ...
We followed the path toward Jaws II, a salt water crocodile that's supposed to be the largest in captivity in India. The signs inspired a bit of trepidation ...
The Jaws II path took us past the underwater gharial viewing, which featured brave turtles ...
... and one of the strangest creatures I've ever seen. Why is this gharial smiling? And why isn't it eating the turtles? Hmm.
I thought this sign was well placed ...
That croc doesn't look so big ... but wait until it crawls out of the water ... Must be well fed.
And guess what? Not all the reptiles are in captivity. But don't worry, only FOUR of the free-ranging snakes are venomous.
Samuel compares jaws with Jaws II ...
I think Jaws II is the winner in this case ... Our stare-down with this giant croc was a bit disconcerting. There's too much intelligence behind those eyes. He's probably thinking: Mmmmmm .... lunch ...
What a quaint, humorous sign! But wait! John and Johnny saw a crocodile doing exactly this in an apparent attempt to escape and get a taste of tasty tourist!
The Crocodile Bank also houses the Irula Snake-Catchers Cooperative, where snake handlers milk venomous snakes for the production of anti-venoms. The Irula tribe members are traditionally snake hunters, but now that it's illegal to hunt snakes for their skins the tribe members use their skills for science and tourism. While we were there, it was milking time for the cobras. Here's one showing off its gorgeous hood.
The snakes were hissing up a storm, and all five of us Halls stood in horrid fascination long after our friends had gone off to get cold drinks.
An Irula tribe member extracts venom ...
I noticed that every one of their tools was smeared with tamarind paste and vermillion (as were the snake handlers), so it had all been recently blessed.
Showing off the snake's fangs ...
And the precious venom ...
This cobra seems to have appointed itself guardian of the cash (tips, I think, though possibly offerings, as some Hindus worship cobras) ...
They're beautiful animals, but I hope I never see one outside of a zoo ...
I mentioned the tamarind and vermillion paste, but this little shrine had me laughing. Whatever god is out there, please! Please protect us! The snake handlers aren't taking any chances at all ...
Getting a close-up look at a snake skin ...
A great day at the zoo!
Note: I wrote half of this post before going to bed last night and then had vivid nightmares about crocodiles eating my children. When will I learn?
I like how the cobras are sitting on Welcome mats! Irony, or something.
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