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!

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!

Pickles is a 6-year-old alligator weighing in at about 80 pounds and measuring 5 feet long. But don’t think for a second that he’s not one to fight – this alligator talks the talk and walks the walk. For now, he remains the most popular of the alligators because of his vibrant style choices and friendly attitude (most of the time).

Now, it’s time for you to really get to know the real Pickles.

Q: Pickles, what’s the deal with the green nail polish? Where does your distinctive style come from?

A: Growing up around all these alligators, I had to find a way to stand out in the crowd! Also, green is a lucky color and complements my skin tone.

Q: What’s your favorite outfit you’ve strutted around been over the past years?

A: Hmm…I’d have to say my Santa Claus costume or maybe my sweet tux!

Q: What’s your favorite part of Alligator Alley?

A: I like to swim around and make friends! We even play games of Marco Polo in the swamp.

Q: How did you earn the name “Pickles”?

A: Because I LOVE to eat Pickles! When I was just a baby, I stole a cheeseburger and ate the pickles off of it. Ever since, I’ve been hooked! Pickles and chow together make for the most delicious combo.

Pickles had to leave our interview for an important photo opportunity in his Halloween costume, but he will answer any fan mail you might have. Just send him or any of the other alligators your questions at info@gatoralleyfarm.com and we’ll add you to our newsletter to receive updates on what’s happening around the farm! By the way, Pickles has his own Facebook page– check him out!

We are currently open every day except Wednesdays, but our hours are changing for the holidays. Be sure to stop by and spot Pickles munching on his favorite snack!

What happens when the weather gets bad?

You will get wet! Our facility is nearly all outdoors. However, the fun doesn’t have to end because of the rain. We only close for extreme weather like thunder and lightning. You can bring your own rain gear, or we sell ponchos in our gift shop if you’re caught off guard. We also offer rain checks if things get too rough outside to stay open.

Are you open year-round?

Typically, we close during most of the winter because of lack of alligator activity. It also gives our crew a chance to take a break, as well as keep the park in tip-top shape. Our website and Facebook page are the best places to find up-to-date info. about park hours and closings. Different times of the year can offer a different view into to the life of an alligator. During the colder months, the alligators are highly visible but less active, while during the warm months they are very active but spend most of the time in the water to escape the excessive heat.

What do alligators do in the winter?

Everything an alligator does, as with most reptiles, is temperature contingent. Meaning, if they are cold then they don’t do much. This includes eating and activity in general. They enter a state of torpor or brumation, which is when they become very sluggish due to the cold weather and their body functions slow down. Their heart rate slows, and digestion stops entirely if the temperature is low enough. This does provide a very good chance to view the over 600 alligators on the property as they will be on the bank trying to take in as much heat as they can.

Where is Captain Crunch?

Captain Crunch mostly resides in the back of the swamp (he likes to keep to himself). Alligators in general are very territorial and the bigger they are, the more territory they can control! In the wild, an adult male will even patrol miles of territory.

What is in the alligator chow?

Contrary to what it may look like, our alligator chow is specifically made for our animals. Its ingredients include a lot of different things, but about half of it consists of meat. Beyond that, it has bone and fish meal, corn, dried animal blood cells and a few bad kids thrown in there for flavor (just kidding!). It provides a healthy snack for our alligators and they love it! Who wouldn’t want to feed an alligator up close and personal?

Do you have more questions for us or our alligators? Stop by Alligator Alley and ask the alligators yourself or submit your questions on our Facebook page! To speak to one of our experts, contact us here or visit our website.

Alligators are ectothermic (or cold-blooded) and play an active role in maintaining their own body temperature. If their internal body temperature drops below 55 degrees, they physically cannot breakdown or metabolize food. There is no digestion in the winter in order to conserve energy. Smaller alligators may be able to eat further into the winter because they have a smaller body mass and can heat up and cool down faster than the large alligators.

To conserve oxygen, an alligator’s heart rate slows to two beats per minute during the winter. The heart only pumps blood to the vital organs in order to stay alive.

Alligators thrive in warm weather and are most active when their environment is between 82 and 92 degrees Fahrenheit. Alligators can remain active in environments as cool as 71 degrees Fahrenheit, however if the temperature drops any lower, alligators will dig underground burrows and remain there until warmer temperatures return, a process called brumation.

Alligators may also submerge themselves with only their nostrils remaining above the water in a process called “icing response.” As the surface of the water freezes the alligator’s body may become trapped within the ice. With their nostrils above the ice, alligators can remain submerged for up to eight hours. In serious cases, the alligator may become frozen within the water’s surface but will swim free once the ice begins to melt.

Fortunately for our alligators on the farm, the temps rarely drop low enough for this to be the case for them. The colder temperatures typical in the north are what limit the distribution of alligators to the southeastern United States.

Thankfully, the temperatures in southern Alabama rarely fall below freezing, so you can still spot alligators on the farm in the fall and winter months. We try to give them a little break during their off-season, so make sure to check our website and Facebook page for our winter hours.