holidays – Alligator Alley https://gatoralleyfarm.com Alligator Farm & Family Nature Adventure Tue, 15 Dec 2020 17:40:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 What Exactly Do The Alligators Do During The Winter Months? 🤔 https://gatoralleyfarm.com/what-exactly-do-the-alligators-do-during-the-winter-months-%f0%9f%a4%94/ Tue, 15 Dec 2020 17:24:41 +0000 https://gatoralleyfarm.com/?p=852 It’s that time of year where the alligators slow down and take some much-needed time off. We like to say they are going on vacation from all that time in the spotlight. After all, being so famous really is exhausting. This time of the year is called “brumation” here on the farm. This is where the alligators get super sluggish and inactive because their metabolism slows down. (Can you imagine – Captain Crunch not having any energy?!)

How is brumation different than hibernation? The phrases can actually be used interchangeably! Hibernation generally refers to warm-blooded animals, while brumation focuses on the cold-blooded animals that are taking rest during the cold months. 

While they aren’t much for caroling because it takes too much energy, the alligators still love chatting with their friends about all the presents they want for Christmas this year. Presents that are ALWAYS on the list? Lots of snacks for the coming year.

As for holiday outfits, sometimes Pickles likes to paint his nails to be festive for the season. He definitely likes to have the best holiday outfit. The good news, even the grinches among the alligators on the farm are festive due to their green scales. 

Overall, the alligators aren’t as hungry during the winter months, but we make sure they bake some cookies to leave out for Santa Claus. And yes, they always sneak some off the plate. 

We aren’t open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, but we LOVE having holiday visitors in the days leading up to the big holiday. Come out to the farm from 10am – 4pm, and find more information on our hours page. 

Want to know when the first live feeding is back in the Spring? Be sure to sign up for our monthly email newsletter to stay in the know!

]]> How Alligators Celebrate the Holidays https://gatoralleyfarm.com/how-alligators-celebrate-the-holidays/ Mon, 17 Dec 2018 17:37:23 +0000 https://gatoralleyfarm.com/?p=646 We’re often asked the question, “What are the holidays like at Alligator Alley?”. Well, as most of you know we are closed for winter due to inactivity at the swamp, except for a few days when we’re open to celebrate. Most of the alligators have their own traditions that take them away from their nests and off to visit relatives nearby. (Don’t worry, they don’t travel by foot – they carpool.)

 

 

For the lucky few that stay here at the swamp for the holidays, we spend extra special quality time with them. When we’re not watching “How the alligator stole Christmas,” we’re singing our very own Christmas carols, loud and proud for all to hear. A favorite of ours is “I saw Colonel kissing Santa Claus” and “Pickles, the Green-Nailed Alligator.”

 

 

Although the alligators typically don’t eat during the winter, they sometimes can’t help themselves when it comes to sugar cookies and eggnog (Captain Crunch gets especially rowdy!). We use the couple days we have as a small group as a chance to really connect with each other on a deeper level and appreciate one another’s company.

 

 

Everyone’s favorite part of the holiday is when Pickles shows up in his Santa Claus costume and gives all his pals a little gift to make them feel loved. Last year, he got everyone a snack (a piece of a huge hog!). This year we’re looking forward to spending time together and spreading holiday cheer!

 

 

While we aren’t open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, we do invite guests to join us on December 21-23 and December 27-31 (closing at noon on December 31). For more information on winter at Alligator Alley or to view our hours, visit gatoralleyfarm.com and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

 

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