They Dropped Me in a Tank with a Gator Called ‘Chopper’

The Cage of Death they call it. Sounds adrenaline stimulating and it is in reality when you are face to face with a beast that could snap your body in half without even half trying. But it is perfectly safe. You are surrounded by thick plastic – and the experience allows you unparalleled intimacy with crocs up close – within mere centimeters.

The “cage” is suspended on an over-head monorail system and it can easily be moved over any of a number of pools – depending on which croc the staff decide to introduce you to.

The croc is fed while you are in the water; this is sure to increase your heart rate! A quick slapping of the water with a stick – then a big juicy piece of raw meat is lowered down to the crocs’s level. The meat is moved close to the cage and in an instant the big beast lunges high out of the water to grab it. Chopper snaps his jaws shut in a flash producing a cracking of a whip like sound.

When the meat is lowered close to the cage – the big Crocosaurus may face you directly and hit the front of his snout on the plastic. Yes, it is scary at this point – knowing that clear plastic is all that separates you from the dangerous creature.

This is the only Crocodile dive in the entire country.

If your not up for the Cage of Death experience you can feed younger crocodiles yourself. However, note the scratch marks on the top of the plastic – these youngsters can really propel themselves out of the water and do so whenever raw meat is being dangled above them. A kiddie pool nearby allows kids to swim at eye level with the gators safely separated behind thick plastic.

When the feeder stomps his/her foot on the metal floor – the crocodiles spring to life – they snap, start moving and a number will open their jaws and keep them open for some time.

Other croc experiences include holding a baby crocodile (its mouth is kept well shut with rubber bands) while posing for photographs – and the opportunity to feed some of the biggest crocodiles in Australia (as part of an hour guided tour).

The crocodile, Burt from the original Crocodile Dundee movie (released in 1986) staring Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski lives on site. This is the oldest croc on property and apparently he enjoys his bachelorhood. He has attacked all females they have tried to introduce him to.

While the crocodiles get all the attention, Crocosauras has the world’s largest display of live Australian Reptiles including the world’s most venomous snake, the Western Taipan. In fact, according to our guide – Australia has 11 of the top 11 most venomous snakes in the world. Leave a statement hanging like that and you keep perpetuating the fear people have of snakes in Australia. The best advice when you see a snake in Australia is to leave it alone. But rest assured, of the several thousand people who report venomous snake bites in the country each year there are only several deaths.

A gift shop is on site – the pelts of some larger alligators certainly could make a statement in someone’s home. The largest one we saw was selling for 24,000 Australian dollars. These are not from wild crocodiles, but rather from a crocodile farm outside of Darwin.

You cannot beat Crocosaurus Cove’s location in the Central Business District of downtown Darwin – easily within short walking distance of plenty of shopping, restaurants and hotels. Reservations for the Cage of Death are highly recommended.

For more information visit: www.crocosauruscove.com/cage-of-death

The following four photos of our Crocosaurus experience and video of giant Croc, Denzel -are provided by Crocosaurus Cove:

#ad I have been commissioned by and will be working with Tourism Australia for this program and resulting content.

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