I’m a crocodile, get me out of here!
 

The Crocodile Park in Torremolinos gives the family a chance to get a close look at these fiercesome creatures, probably the closest children will get to a real life dinosaur.  It’s easy to find off the main E15 motorway and there is free parking outside. The park itself is well set out with shady walkways embossed with crocodile shapes which you follow as they wind through the crocodile pens. Entrance is 9 euros for adults and 7 for children with under fours free.  The person on the desk will give you a map and inform you of when the next guided tour and demonstration is.  There is a choice of English or Spanish but in reality there was a mixture of nationalities and our guide switched easily between languages.

The crocodiles themselves are magnificent, they vary in size from small caimans to the type that terrorise fishing communities.  At first, they looked unreal as they laid around, hundreds of them, asleep in the afternoon sun.  Then a beady eye would open or a mouth showing those killer teeth.  They have no sense of personal space and lie on top or under each other with the odd foot in the eye.  They may look sleepy but you wouldn’t mess with them.   The refuge at the far end of the park smells a little fresh but the sheer number of these creatures is impressive.

At the end of the guided tour, there is the opportunity to hold a crocodile. Don’t worry, they have chosen a very small one, and it has the added precaution of having a piece of sticky tape round its mouth so no naughty nips.  They are silky and warm to the touch and you can hold it while you have your photo taken. If however, you are particularly fond of animal rights you may feel a bit uncomfortable about the psychological wellbeing of this small creature.  Publicity photos suggest that on occasion they bring out a bigger croc. You wonder if they have to draw straws and the one who gets the short ones gets to be held by the tourists.

For the children, there is a small play park for little ones and a games room by the cafeteria which is reasonably priced and sells usual theme park fayre.  There is no chance of any stray children falling over into the crocodile pens so you can rest at ease although the emu and goats in pets corner are easier to get at so you should warn your children to keep their fingers to themselves. 

The crocodiles share the park with several species of duck including some cute ducklings who are very noisy and completely unaware that they are only a wire fence away from being a tasty snack.  There are several turtles sharing the duck pens who spend a lot of time under water with only their green heads peeking out.  There is a crocodile museum where you can marvel at the sheer size of some crocs found over the years and a video showing how they live, and feed, in the wild. If you are squeamish about blood and/or

gazelles being chomped, don’t watch it.

The gift shop is African themed and contains several animal items along with the cuddly crocodiles and requisite T-shirts.  While there are expensive items there are several items available for those on a more limited budget.  Our cuddly crocodile in its own T-shirt only cost 4 euros but we had to perform surgery on it with a needle and thread when its arms fell off.