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

Myth 1: Running away in a zigzag pattern is the best way to escape an alligator.

A more practical way to escape an aggressive alligator is to run away in a straight line as fast as you can. While gators can move quickly on land, they can only do so in short bursts before they tire out.

Myth 2: Alligators are more afraid of us than we think.

True. Alligators are naturally afraid of humans. When encountering a human in the wild, an alligator is more likely to flee than become aggressive. This does not necessarily mean that humans don’t need to be cautious around alligators, but they do not need to live in fear of them. It’s wise to observe alligators from afar, just like during the live feedings at Alligator Alley.

Myth 3: Alligators have great eyesight.

True. It’s a common belief that alligators have bad eyesight due to the shape of their head and position of their eyes. However, because alligators’ eyes are positioned on either side of their head, they actually have a wider view and can spy on prey from afar.

Their eyes are also made to see in extreme low-light conditions. Inside their eye beneath the photoreceptor cells, is a layer called the tapetum lucidum. The layer allows their retina to reflect light back into the cells, increasing the amount of light that the gator can detect.

Myth 4: Alligators can’t climb well.

False. Due to their strong muscles, sharp claws and powerful tails, alligators are actually quite agile climbers. Using their tail, which is half of their body length, alligators can push themselves over a fence or wall if needed. After all, they are distant relatives of lizards who are excellent climbers.

And there you have it – you can’t always believe everything you hear! To see these amazing creatures in action, make a visit to Alligator Alley any day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit our website for details on hours and pricing.

Alligators are frequently misunderstood animals and protecting alligators is more than just about preserving biodiversity. Alligators help us to maintain a critical balance in our environment and freshwater ecosystems. The American alligator was on the verge of extinction until the Endangered Species Act of 1966 was passed to protect alligators from poaching. Our mission is to educate and inform the public about these fascinating creatures in a safe and unique way, while also allowing visitors to observe the animals in their natural habitats.

When visiting Alligator Alley, you’ll begin with a guided adventure through our swamp where you’ll see over 600 alligators along with snakes, tortoises and lizards. Not only will you witness these animals in their natural habitats, but our interactive exhibits allow you to hold, feed and interact with various species of reptiles. We created the farm to be an immersive experience that closely mimics these animals’ natural environments.

Come be a part of all the action at Alligator Alley every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can support other organizations and their conservation efforts by visiting The International Reptile Conservation Foundation to conserve reptiles and amphibians and their habitats. As always, we look forward to seeing you on your next adventure at Alligator Alley. Visit gatoralleyfarm.com/about/hours-pricing/ for details on hours and pricing.