Croc Encounters

About Croc Encounters

Croc Encounters is a reptile park and wildlife center at 8703 Bowles Road in Tampa, Florida. It describes itself as a non-profit conservation and educational facility that provides a sanctuary to unwanted reptiles, and as a working agritourism facility focused on education and conservation for crocodilians and other reptiles. The facility is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The site presents guided tours as the main way to visit. Tours can be reserved online through the FareHarbor booking platform or by phone, and the site offers a printable map and directions. Group tours, birthday parties and private parties are also listed.

History

According to the facility's history page, Croc Encounters was established in January 2005 as a sanctuary for unwanted reptiles. Crocodilians have been its main focus, though the page says it has extended its care to unwanted reptiles, birds and mammals. It opened its gates for guided tours in the summer of 2008. The history page says it has offered educational programs, traveling exhibits and displays in the Greater Tampa Bay region and nationwide since 2005.

The facility is family operated. The history page names John Paner, known at the facility as Jungle John, and Karina Sura Paner, known as Krocodile Karina, and says the people who run it are volunteers.

Exhibits and habitats

The facility's website lists its animals by group.

Crocodilians. American alligator, American crocodile, broad-snouted caiman, Cuban crocodile, Cuvier's dwarf caiman, Morelet's crocodile, Nile crocodile and Schneider's dwarf caiman.

Snakes. Ball python, boa constrictor, coastal carpet python, corn snake, Dumeril's boa, gopher snake and jungle carpet python.

Lizards. Asian water monitor, bearded dragon, black and white tegu, black spiny-tailed iguana, European glass lizard, green iguana, ornate monitor, red tegu, rhino iguana, savannah monitor and uromastyx.

Turtles and tortoises. Species listed include the African side-neck turtle, alligator snapping turtle, common snapping turtle, diamondback terrapin, Florida box turtle, Florida softshell, Malaysian box turtle, painted turtle, red-eared slider, red-footed tortoise, river cooter, spotted turtle, striped mud turtle, sulcata tortoise and yellow-footed tortoise.

Amphibians. Cuban tree frog, marine toad, Pac-man frog and pixie frog.

Conservation and programs

Croc Encounters offers a set of education programs, including Amazing Reptiles, Rainforest Reptiles, Native Florida, Wetlands Wonders, Amazing Australia, Crocodilian Biology and a venomous snakes program, along with region-specific programs. A summer program called Croc Camp is listed on the site.

Other services listed on the website include alligator wrestling shows, traveling exhibits, corporate events, picnics, public speaking engagements and nuisance wildlife removal. The facility says it accepts animal donations.

People can support the sanctuary through online volunteer registration, monetary and material donations, exhibit sponsorships and animal adoption programs. A membership option is also listed. A holiday shop operates through the Square platform.

Planning your visit

Visits are by guided tour. As listed on the facility's website, guided tours run seven days a week at select times, depending on availability, and can be reserved online or by phone. The tours page lists what a tour includes: a guided walk through the park, a close look at alligators, crocodiles, snakes, lizards, turtles, tortoises and birds, feeding demonstrations and feeding interactions with alligators, turtles and tortoises, a session with large African tortoises, and a photo experience holding snakes and alligators. The site notes that tour times and interactions can change because of animal, weather or staff needs. Private tours and tours outside normal hours are also listed. Ticket details are on the zoo's website.

The entrance is at 8703 Bowles Road, Tampa, Florida 33637; the site says this front address does not receive mail. The listed phone number is 813-217-4400, with representatives available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.