The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology is one of the largest reptile zoos in the world and one of the oldest non government environmental organizations in Asia.

Our primary aim is to promote the conservation of reptiles and amphibians on the Indian subcontinent, but our inference is multidisciplinary and extends worldwide.

 Conservation and Research

In line with our mission statement, the Croc Bank believes that successful conservation is built on sound scientific research and the two actions are tightly knit. To this end, the Croc Bank has joined forces with many of the world’s foremost experts and organizations in an effort to better achieve these immense tasks. At the core of our ambitious operation is a dedicated Scientific Committee made up of Indian and international experts.

Education and Awareness

At the Croc Bank, we believe that education is the ultimate key to long term sustainable conservation. We devote a large part of our time and resources towards educating people of all ages and backgrounds in the importance of conserving reptiles and natural ecosystems. How do we know our education program is working? One clear indication is that after thirty plus years in action, many of India’s leading environmental proponents, including top decision makers and corporate activists cite the Croc Bank experience as an early turning point during their informative years.  Something that Team Croc Bank is very proud of!

Plan your visit

The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology is one of the largest reptile zoos in the world. It is spread over eight and a half acres of land and is home to over 2500 reptiles. We give you an opportunity to have an interactive experience with the various denizens at the zoo. Apart from our guided tours we have a wide variety of other activities for all ages that are both informative and fun.

For outdoor nature enthusiasts, the spacious Croc Bank grounds are covered by luxuriant coastal dune forest and provide a haven for native wildlife, including large breeding colonies of water birds and a secure nesting beach for Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.

JAWS III

Perhaps Croc Banks most famous ‘A’ list celebrity and one of the largest saltwater crocodiles in the world.

Jaws arrived at Croc Bank shortly after it opened in 1976 and for the first few years was housed with his brothers and sisters in what was then a fairly ordinary exhibit. However, when he started to outgrow his siblings in a truly astonishing fashion, it soon became apparent that he was no ordinary crocodile, but instead a genuine giant of freakish proportions. True to form, Jaws has grown into a real Spielberg monster, and cannot even be housed with other female crocs due to his unusually savage disposition and devastating strength. Jaws now lives alone in a large, fortified enclosure and visitors can watch him being hand fed by his keepers every Sunday afternoon at 03:00 pm.

Watch a video of Brushing teeth of Jaws III !  (Opens in a new tab)

Watch a video of Crocodile Bank Tour  (Opens in a new tab)

Crocodile Bank is about 40 Km (25 Miles) from Chennai on East Coast Road towards Mahabalipuram. Visitors can reach Crocodile Bank by car, public buses or Hop on Hop off buses.

Click here to view details of Hop on Hop off buses    (Opens in a new tab)

Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology

Post Bag No 4,

Mamallapuram-603 104,

Tamil Nadu, S. India

Phone   :               +91-9840542337

Fax         :               +91-044-27472958

Director    : Colin@madrascrocodilebank.org