It’s alligator mating season, and your heart may just skip a beat! As the air heats up and the days grow longer, love is in the air for these scaly creatures. So get ready for a wild ride filled with love, danger and maybe even a bit of reptilian romance. When it comes to alligator mating season, all you need is love!

Courtship begins in mid-April and lasts through the end of May. Male alligators make a low bellowing sound and slap the water to draw a female’s attention, warning other males to stay away. Males who are ready to mate will become vicious fighters during mating season as they compete for available females. They may even come away with missing legs or blinded eyes.

Alligators will also use scent to attract mates, emitting a pheromonal musk. Alligators start the mating process by engaging in courtship behaviors once they have found a potential mate. They might push one another underwater or rub and press each other’s snouts and bodies, demonstrating their power and establishing their superiority to other suitors.

Females may mate several times during the season and typically lay 35 eggs, although the clutch may be anywhere from 20 to 50 eggs. After covering them in her nest made of soil, vegetation or debris, she will guard them, keeping an eye on the eggs for up to nine or 10 weeks.

After about 65 days, the baby alligators will hatch in mid-August or early September. The mother alligator stays with her young for up to two years after they hatch, protecting them from predators and teaching them how to hunt and survive in the wild.

So there you have it, folks! Alligator mating season is an exciting and fascinating time of year for these scaly creatures.

If you’re feeling daring and want to experience the magic of alligator courtship up close and personal, head over to Alligator Alley from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check out our website for more information, you might even witness the beginning of a brand-new alligator family!

My daily routine is pretty simple, as you might expect. It mainly consists of eating, sleeping and soaking up the sun. But, I have to admit I can get a little rowdy at times. So, get ready to see what my life at Alligator Alley looks like.

Rise and shine

At 7 a.m. sharp, the sun rises and wakes me up to start my day of sunbathing and stretching out my beautiful scales. This is my favorite part of the day, and I make sure to savor every moment.

Lunch is served

By 11 a.m., my stomach is growling and it’s time for lunch. I’m not a big fan of eating in front of an audience, but some of my fellow alligators do a live show three times a day at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. I prefer to have my meals in peace, away from the crowds. Once I’ve had my fill, I’m ready to lounge in the sun and enjoy the rest of my day.

Dinner and dress-up

I love any excuse to get dressed-up and paint my nails. Don’t I look great? As the day winds down, it’s time for dinner with my other alligator pals.

Good day and good night

As the sun sets, I take my leave and slither into the water, where I’ll rest and get ready for another day of eating, sunbathing and enjoying life as an alligator at Alligator Alley. Thank you for joining me today, but now it’s my bedtime. Good night!

Want to see what our alligators are up to? Visit us at Alligator Alley every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and check out our website for more information.

Animals play an important role in maintaining balance in our environment and in our daily lives. This year, celebrate Earth Day by doing things that will protect the beautiful place we live in and share with wildlife.

Visit Alligator Alley Alligator Alley was founded on the preservation of alligators, and we are proud to say that we have saved many alligators from the fate of being captured and euthanized. We are committed to educating the public about alligators and other animals. At Alligator Alley, you can connect with nature and learn about these amazing animals through exciting and immersive experiences every day.

Celebrate as a Family

You can create a fun, interactive activity that covers all types of wildlife to further educate your kids (and yourself). Bring your favorite animals to life in your own home by making origami with your kids, or create an animal-themed game that’s both fun and educational. You might be the one educating us the next time you stop by!

Don’t Feed Wildlife

While our farm animals enjoy our tasty food and entertaining feeding shows, you should never feed a wild animal. Feeding wildlife can cause nuisance problems in a community or on a property. This can endanger these species in their natural habitats.

Reduce Plastic Use and Make Sure Not to Litter

Remember the three R’s: reduce, reuse and recycle. When you litter, it can end up in our waterways, causing harm to animals who may consume it.

We play a significant role in ensuring the health of our environment and the protection of animals. Use Earth Day to make a difference in our community and leave a lasting impression on all who live here. Looking for a way to celebrate Earth Day near you? Visit us at Alligator Alley every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and go to our website for more information

If you’re lucky (or unlucky) enough to find yourself face to face with a crocodile or an alligator, they might look the same with their toothy grins and rough, bumpy skin. However, if you look closely enough, you’ll notice their snouts are not identical. Alligators have wider, U-shaped snouts, while crocodiles have a more pointed, V-shaped snout. Although they are different, they are both able to use their long snouts to hold onto prey. It makes ripping larger bites out of food easier and provides them with a greater advantage when hunting. 

Both crocodiles and alligators have large, knife-like teeth that are easily seen from the side; however, only the top teeth are visible in an alligator because their upper jaws are wider than their lower jaws, making their bottom teeth disappear when their mouths are closed. It’s just the opposite with crocodiles! Their upper and lower jaws are about the same width, so their jaws seem to interlock giving off a toothy grin when their mouths are shut. 

Similar to other animals, different species of crocodilians have varying temperaments. Despite their intimidating looks, alligators tend to be more passive and generally only attack when they feel provoked. On the contrary, crocodiles are more aggressive and will attack anything and everything in their way… including humans. (This may have played a role in our decision to open an alligator farm – not a crocodile farm.)

Here’s your invitation to see these differences firsthand! Take a stroll through the swamp along the boardwalk, and then stick around for a real treat with our daily live feedings at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. You’re sure to make some memories you will never forget!

Sometimes, our big guys wake up on the wrong side of the swamp, usually on a Monday (relatable, right?)! When this happens, they tend to give us some attitude first thing in the morning. But no worries, because guess what’s next?

LUNCH TIME! If you’ve ever been to our live feedings, you’ll recognize the expression below. One look at these alligators and we know what they want – food. Don’t worry, we keep our fellas well fed and HAPPY. In fact, you can catch one of three meal times every day at 11, 1 and 4.

Speaking of happy, here’s a nice photo of Prince Eric sporting his weekend hat! If you catch this guy during your next visit to the swamp, give him a shout out. Fashionistas always love when their style is appreciated.

On your next adventure to Alligator Alley, snap a few photos of our alligators and be sure to use our hashtag, #AlligatorAlleyAdventure, when posting to Facebook. Also, follow us on Instagram and say “hi” to our scaly friends in the comments section. They’re big fans of feedback.

Our feedings are at 11, 1 and 4 every day and typically last anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes (depending on how hungry these guys are!). We usually go through about 200 pounds of pig per day to feed our growing fellas. Check out the clip below from a 4-o’clock feeding to see what’s in store for your first live feeding visit!

Don’t forget – we host field trips and birthday parties, too! For more information, check out our hours and pricing or give us a call at 251-946-2483.

While alligators are most energetic when the temps sit between 82- and 92-degrees Fahrenheit, our little pals get eager when they see friendly faces touring the farm! Throughout the next several months, we’ll begin seeing more and more alligators break free from their camouflage and lounge in the sun with their friends.

If you’ve been waiting all winter to come back for a visit to Alligator Alley, mark your calendar for Friday, February 8! We’ll be open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. for you and your family to start a guided adventure to visit with our alligators. As you take in the view on your nature walk, continue your adventure along the elevated boardwalk to see alligators in their natural habitat along with other swamp inhabitants such as turtles, ospreys, owls and bull frogs only a couple feet away!

For more details about pricing or hours, visit our website. For those interested in the return of our live feeding times, they will return in early March! STAY TUNED, FOLKS!

Alligator Alley is a unique learning adventure for all ages. We have special opportunities for the kiddos and teachers to witness alligator feedings, hold baby alligators and enjoy a tour along our boardwalk. Witness more than 600 alligators – from hatchlings to mature adults – in their natural habitat, all while viewing turtles, ospreys, owls and frogs just a few feet away. It’s the perfect place to relish in the outdoors and get out of the classroom for a hands-on learning experience you will never forget!

During your field trip, you can stop by the air-conditioned alligator station to get your hands on a baby alligator. Our expert staff members are always nearby to chat and answer questions about each animal. If you want to get your heart pumping, be sure to hang around for the live feedings that happen every day during peak season at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. After all the excitement, you can enjoy your lunch at the shaded picnic tables right across from the viewing area.

Field trip prices are set at special rates and teachers and bus drivers have free admission! Visitors also have the option to buy alligator chow to feed the alligators while walking the boardwalk and taking in the wildlife.

If you’re a teacher looking for a fun, out-of-the-box field trip for your class – you’ve found it! Start your school year off the right way, with a field trip to Alligator Alley! To book a day at the farm, call 251-946-2483 or drop us a line. Don’t forget to hang out with us on Facebook and Instagram and share your fun adventures. #AlligatorAlleyAdventure

Here’s a quick update before we dive into his Q&A: Captain is in his late 30s, he’s 13’2” and 800+ pounds – now that’s what we call a big fella!

Q: We hear you have a world record for bite strength – what’s your favorite food to munch on?

A: Anything I can get close to! Top favorite – feral pig leg (but not from my friends on the farm!).

Q: Where’s your favorite sunbathing spot?

A: I prefer to be alone in the swamp covered in mud and scouting out my next meal. I don’t typically bask in the sun… unless there’s snacks.

Q: How did you earn the name “Captain Crunch”?

A: I own this place, so the name Captain is quite fitting. The ‘Crunch’ doesn’t need an explanation, right?

Q: What’s the biggest adventure you’ve been on at Alligator Alley?

A: I’d tell you, but then I’d have to… Just kidding. I’d say the wildest adventure I’ve tackled during my time in the swamp would be stealing all the food at the live feedings from all the other alligators! They know to back off when Captain’s hungry. Speaking of hungry…

Captain Crunch heard the dinner bell and quickly scurried away to beat the crowd. Do you have any questions for Captain or one of the other alligators? Shoot us an email at info@gatoralleyfarm.com and we’ll add you to our newsletter, where you can receive updates on all things Alligator Alley! For now, check out our profiles on a few swamp favorites here. Remember, we’re open seven days a week, 10-5 and have live feedings every day at 11, 1 and 4. Tune in on Facebook soon to spot Captain crunching on some lunch!

While adult alligators tend to be unsocial creatures, they do engage in complex mating rituals. Their search begins by announcing their presence with a low bellowing sound to attract their mate. Males typically slap the water with their jaws and lift their tails high, causing vibrations throughout the swamp. We like to call this their “water dance.” Like most animals, alligators use scents as well, releasing an odor from their musk glands.

When an alligator finds their potential mate, they initiate direct courtship by rubbing and pressing each other’s snouts and backs. This behavior is particularly important, as it shows a sort of contest of strength while proving they’re better than other potential suitors. This “contest” is used to win over the female alligator and stimulate further courtship. While the typical courtship routine may last hours, copulation is very short (usually less than 30 seconds).

Once the females have mated several times for the season, they begin to build a nest from mud, plants and sticks to lay their eggs. The typical alligator lays between 20 to 50 eggs. After the hard-shelled eggs are laid, the mother alligator will cover them with more mud, sticks and plants and wait for their arrival during their 65-day incubation period.

If you’re interested in reading more about the harvesting of eggs, we’ve got it all here! Or, if you’re ready to visit these creatures in their element, stop by Alligator Alley. And remember, our live feedings happen everyday at 11, 1 and 4. We’ll see you soon!