Crocodile Farm, Langkawi, Kedah Malaysia

Langkawi Crocodile Farm houses one of the largest numbers of crocodile and alligator species gathered together in the world. Here, reptiles range from newborns to world record-holders, including Bujang Kawi, the oldest croc born without teeth: he weighs over 454kg (1,000lbs) and is over four metres long.

Also known as Taman Buaya Langkawi, the Langkawi Crocodile Farm is spread across 20 acres and situated near Datai Bay, just 32km north of Kuah. Nothing quite compares to an afternoon spent in the company of its more than 1,000 crocodiles: watching, feeding, and fearing these reptiles will make for an unforgettable day out and a trip here is practically a must.

After paying your admission fee, your first glance of the reptiles will be of the rows of cement pens that house baby crocodiles en masse. There are placards dishing out crocodilian facts so visitors can walk freely around the ‘caged tanks’. You will notice that the farm is divided into several sections: the species pond is where you will see crocs and alligators mixing around. The placards have information on how to differentiate between the two, but it is kind of hard to tell the difference if you are not a hardcore croc enthusiast.

One of Langkawi Crocodile Farm’s highlights is the feeding pond: here the crocs are fed in a controlled environment similar to their natural habitat. It is a hair-raising, graphic and exciting sight to watch the giant beasts lunge quickly, snap their jaws and growl deeply as they devour their meat.

Daring croc fans can cross the bridge over a giant ‘pond’, where dozens of adult crocs lounge about on land and water. They move around with terrifying stealth and eerie silence which keeps the words of the croc trainer-on-duty ringing in your ears – ‘Hati-hati, nanti jatuh kalau terlalu dekat’ (Careful, don’t lean too far over the railing or you’ll fall!).