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The jungles of South-East Asia are notorious for its inhabitants.
How would you like to meet a 20 foot long python, or perhaps
a poisonous spider or scorpion, or even a tiger or rhino?
Of course, if you'd prefer to see Thailand's animals in close
proximity without the danger element, you can always visit
one of the many animal farms. Eco-tourism is making a strong
impact in Thailand and strict restrictions are being placed
on such institutions to ensure no animals are unnecessarily
harmed - in fact, the motivation behind most of them is the
preservation of endangered species.
Snakes
Serpentine Facts:
Numbers:
There are about 163 species of snake in Thailand alone, 85
of which are venomous.
Feeding:
Snakes are well-known carnivores, mostly swallowing their
victims whole whilst still alive. King cobras even
eat other snakes.
Habitats:
larger snakes such as pythons are found in jungles, while
the smaller ones spread out to the grasslands.
Did you know?
The largest snake ever discovered was a 32 foot long python,
found in the jungles of Thailand.
Thai Perspective:
The blood of a snake is held to have healing and strengthening
properties in many Asian countries, and snake's blood rice
wine is a popular beverage in many areas!
Snake Farms
There are several snake farms throughout Thailand, but the
most famous is the Queen Saovapha Memorial Snake Farm,
situated within the Thai Red Cross centre, Bangkok. The principal
aim of this institute is to milk the snakes of their venom
in order to produce quantities of anti snakebite serum, but
it now runs a sideline in tourist shows. Audiences are invited
to watch an informative slideshow, observe the milking process,
and handle the snakes themselves. Entrance is 70B ($1.50).
Elephants
Unforgettable Facts:
Numbers:
The Thai elephant has reduced in numbers from over 100,000
at the turn of the century to just 3-4,000 today, and is classified
as an endangered species.
Feeding:
Elephants are herbivores and will consume about 2-300kg of
food per day, and 150 litres of water.
Mating:
Copulation generally lasts only 20 seconds, but females carry
their young for 22 months. And us women think we're hard done
by!
Did you know?
Elephants may be heavy animals, but they can run up to 15
miles per hour.
Thai Perspective:
The elephant is the national symbol of Thailand, and the rare
white elephant is revered as a royal animal.
Elephant Sanctuaries/Training centres
Logging is now banned in Thailand, therefore there is less
need for elephant training centres. Those that still exist,
such as the one in Thung Kwian, near Lampang, are geared
more towards tourist entertainment than work. Visitors can
expect to see elephants walking, bathing and stacking logs
in procession, and can also take the offer of a ride into
the jungle on the back of one of these gentle creatures. Beware
of sea-sickness!
30 miles north of Chiang Mai lies the Elephant Nature
Park, originally set up to provide elephants with better
living conditions than they received as working elephants.
It is now committed to the preservation of the species, as
well as the restoration of their natural habitat, the rainforest.
Visitors are welcome, with the emphasis being on education
and interaction rather than shows.
Crocodiles
Snappy Facts:
Numbers:
There are three types of crocodile in Thailand, two of which
are believed to be extinct in the wild. Of the third, the
Siamese crocodile, there are less than 200 left in the
world.
Feeding:
Fierce carnivores! However, their meals are few and far between.
Mating:
The female will lay 20-40 eggs each year about 40-50 days
after mating. Incubation will take about 70-80 days.
Did you know?
Crocodiles can go up to 18 months without eating.
Thai Perspective:
Crocodiles have always been feared as man-eating monsters
in Thailand. The most infamous legend tells of Chalawan, the
crocodile king and symbol of Phichit province, who regularly
dined on young virgins!
Crocodile Farms
Originally, crocodile farms in Thailand were partly responsible
for the decline in numbers of crocodiles in Thailand. However,
with the promotion of eco-tourism in the country, the farms
are now considered to help conserve this formidable carnivore
of the water. Crocodile bags, belts, shoes and such are still
popular tourist buys, but the farms insist that their animals
are treated humanely and not simply raised for the purpose
of selling such products. With the shortage of crocodiles
in Thailand today, visiting one of these farms may well be
your only chance of seeing one, and it will certainly be your
safest!
Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo, 6 miles outside
of Bangkok, boasts the world's largest crocodile in captivity,
about 20 ft in length and 1114kg in weight. Not only do you
get the chance to see thousands of crocodiles here (including
within the context of a wrestling show), but elephant and
camel rides are also offered for an extra fee.
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