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ou’re looking across the desert scene at Leeds’ Tropical World when from behind a rock, a baby meerkat emerges. Tentatively, it extends its hind legs, stands up straight and blinks those big dark eyes. Altogether now: ‘Awwww!’

As well as being home to incredibly cute baby meerkats, Tropical World also has animals from all across the world, ranging from the ultra-cuddly to super scary. Although normally found in the freshwater lakes and swamps of Mexico, three Morelet Crocodiles have made their home in Roundhay.

These happy snappy chappies can grow to over two metres and have some impressive gnashers so don’t get too close!

If the kids think they’ve got what it takes, then they can challenge the Water Dragon to a staring competition or count George the tortoise’s ring markings to work out just how old he is. The Creature Corner also houses a rare albino Burmese Python and a Yellow Anaconda guaranteed to send a shiver down your spine.

When things really begin to heat up in the Australasia House, there’s only one way to cool off - follow the path past the terrapins that laze languidly around the pool and duck under the waterfall. Now the totally tropical experience is complete.