1. What is a day in the life of an Alligator Alley staff member like?

No day is ever the same for all staff members. Most everyone starts the day ensuring the facility is in tip top shape for all of our guests and alligators. Once that is complete, we all break off into our more specific duties, including food preparation, checking the fencing around the property, picking up trash or tree limbs and stocking the souvenir shop. Once those gates open, however, we are solely focused on making sure our guests have the greatest adventure possible at Alligator Alley. 

2. How long is a typical workday? When does it start/end?

The typical workday hours run like most any other job, 8-5, but during the winter our schedule is much more lenient. Essentially, we make our schedule around the alligators’ appetites. If it is hot, they are busy eating and we are busy feeding. If it is cold, their appetite slows down and so do we.  

3. What are some best practices of dealing with alligators? 

There really is no secret to dealing with alligators, except for the obvious: keep all body parts out of the alligator’s mouth! When body parts start getting involved with alligator teeth, well that’s when things tend to go bad. Staying calm is a good way to stay safe. We are not overly hands-on with the alligators because, well, they are alligators. 

4. What is the wildest question you have ever been asked by a guest?

We are asked far too often if someone can ride or wrestle an alligator. The answer is always an obvious, no. 

5. How much food do the alligators consume daily?

Alligators have a stomach capacity of their total body weight, but they can go up to 10 months with only eating 10% of their total body weight. During the summer months, our gators are always hunger and will usually eat as much as you feed them.

6. How often do you get a call to rescue an alligator? 

Although we do receive phone calls all the time for alligator removal, we do not actually have the permits to remove them. When those calls come through, we always tell people to call their state fish and game agency. They are the people who handle the removals of nuisance alligators. 

7. What is the process for bringing in a new alligator? 

Unless there are some special circumstances, we generally do not take in new alligators. We will work with our local fish and game authority if the opportunity presents itself. 

8. What is the most exciting part of each day?

For many of our guests, it is their first time seeing an alligator in person. Because of this, seeing their reactions is probably the most exciting!

Have you ever seen an alligator? We have over 500 scaly beasts for you to discover! Check out our pricing and hours to plan your visit today. We can’t wait for you to meet our friends here at Alligator Alley! 

Our 500+ alligators are protected by a double-fenced boundary surrounding the property, one of which goes four feet into the ground and stands 10 feet tall. Since we are located so far inland, the chance of major flooding is highly unlikely, but we still plan ahead. Our spillway allows us to adjust the water level, which is particularly important during nesting season. Avoiding flooding also helps prevent the escape of our reptiles from the swamp – but with plenty of girls, free food and great real estate, who would ever want to leave!? 

Humans are not the only ones who have an emergency plan for storm season – although, alligators have a much more claws-off approach. They have an instinctual response that allows them to read barometric changes. When they sense the low pressure bringing in dangerous weather, they submerge themselves to the bottom of the swamp to ride it out. 

Other animals on the farm require a little more attention. Snake exhibits get boarded up with plywood to keep the glass from breaking, while lizards, turtles and tortoises take shelter indoors. 

In the wild, alligators often find safety under nearby porches and decks, so watch your back when inspecting storm damage around your home. If you were to find an unwanted guest on your property, LEAVE IT ALONE and contact Alabama Fish and Wildlife. They will be able to capture your reptile friend and safely remove it. 

In the event of an emergency, we always want to be prepared. Come see for yourself all of the fascinating features around the swamp. Check out the details on pricing and hours, and stay tuned as our seasonal hours kick in. We can’t wait for your next visit to Alligator Alley! 

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!

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!

If you haven’t visited our farm friends yet, it’s time to start planning. Our park is now open for spring and summer seven days a week! So once you get here, where do you begin your adventure?

The first exhibit you’ll find after leaving our gift shop is through the covered walkway where we keep the itty-bitty fellas. If you grabbed some of our “alligator chow,” this is a good place for you and the kiddos to start passing out the snacks.

As you make your way through, a few hogs will catch your attention just over the fence. We have three new additions to keep our guy Moonpie company. Moonpie is around four years old and weighs a trim 500 pounds. Be sure to wave so they don’t feel left out!

Hey, Moonpie!

Next stop and a family favorite is the baby alligator station, where you can visit, feed and hold these little guys. Get up close and personal to your favorite baby alligator! While we do have some for you to hold, we don’t suggest you reach in for yourself to pick from the litter. A staff member is always on hand and ready to brighten your day as they place one of these little guys in your arms. *Cue the photo session*

Ready for something more intimidating? Keep moving past the “teenagers” in their private pools, and make your way over to the boardwalk that leads to the big guys. While peering through the swamp and searching for Captain Crunch, you’ll notice some alligators stay hidden in the moss, while others are out and about ready for show time, or, as we like to call it, our live feedings.

Everyday at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. we have our live feedings – a must-see event featuring dozens of our hungry alligators climbing ashore for a good meal from our staff! As soon as they hear the dinner bell ring, they make their way out of the water and onto the grass to catch a bite. You don’t want to miss this show!

While we have a variety of animals like longhorns and ospreys, we definitely count on the alligators to be the leading excitement factor for visitors. If you’re planning a trip along the Gulf Coast this spring or summer, be sure to make a stop in Summerdale to catch one of our live feedings! For farm updates, live videos and funny photos of our best guys, like us on Facebook and follow our Instagram page!
  

To kick off the season, we’re testing your knowledge on all things alligators! Brush up on your alligator facts and put yourself to the test! We’ve got a couple tricks up our sleeves.

Let’s play a little game of true or false.

First up…True or False?

Alligators rarely live past 30 years.

FALSE!

To date, the oldest alligator on record is in its early 70s!

True or False?

Alligators are unable to naturally regulate their temperatures.

TRUE!

Reptiles depend on the sun and other forms of warmth to maintain a stable body temperature.

True or False?

An alligator can go through 2,000 teeth in a lifetime.

TRUE!

Alligators have around 74 to 80 teeth in their jaws at any given time, and as they wear down or fall out they are replaced.

True or False?

Large alligators can go as long as 12 months with no food.

FALSE!

Alligators can go as long as 18 months with no food.

True or False?

Alligators often stay in groups called congregations.

TRUE!

These groups are typically seen basking in the sun or taking a swim together.

True or False?

Alligators grow to a maximum length of 10 feet.

FALSE!

Alligators can grow up to a whopping 14 feet – the longest at Alligator Alley is Captain Crunch, who is 13 feet, 8 inches.

True or False?

Alligators have poor eyesight.

FALSE!

With their eyes positioned on the sides of their head, they have a fairly wide range of sight.

True or False?

Alligators of 10 feet or longer can have as much as 1,800 pounds of bite.

TRUE!

Why do you think we call him Captain CRUNCH!?

So, how’d you do? If you answered all of these correctly, you’re an alligator expert – congratulations, farm friend! If not, don’t worry! Swing by and give us a visit this month and we’ll teach you a thing or two.

Eggs to Hatchlings

Around late June and early July, the mother alligator typically lays about 35 eggs in a nest made of mud, sticks and other plant matter. The nests are usually about three feet tall and six feet in diameter, located in swampy areas like you’ll see if you stroll down our boardwalk. During the 65-day incubation period, the mother guards the nest to protect her young. Just as the alligators are ready to hatch, they alert their mother by making high-pitched noises from inside of the egg. She will then either carry her young into the water on her back or release the hatchlings by opening the nest into the water.

*Interesting fact: The temperature of the nest determines whether the eggs develop into males or females. Cooler temperatures between 82 and 86 degrees produce females; moderate temperatures between 82 and 90 degrees will produce a litter of some males and some females; and warm temperatures between 90 and 93 degrees will produce male alligators.

Adolescent Alligators

During the first years of the alligator’s life, they learn to eat small animals in and near the water. They typically feed on insects, snails, worms, birds and small fish – everything is on the menu when you’re an opportunistic alligator. They stay close to their mother for at least the first year of their lives to be protected from a variety of predators including raccoons, otters, wading birds and fish. Very few hatchlings will actually survive to adulthood, only about 2-3 our of an average clutch of 35 eggs.

Entering Adulthood

Alligators can remain with their mother for up to three years before seeking out their own territories. Once the young alligators reach four feet in length, they’re considered virtually invulnerable in the wild. Here in Alabama, they can grow upwards of about 12 inches per year. That growth rate will slow once sexual maturity is reached, usually when they are around 6-7 feet in length.

Mating and Courtship

When the weather gets warm in mid-April through the end of May, alligators begin their search for potential mates. A male alligator starts this complex mating ritual by announcing his presence, making low bellowing sounds and sending vibrations through the water. Once a female has chosen her mate, the male scares off other suitors and then pushes the female to make his intentions known. After the pair mate, the female retreats to build her nest, while the male alligator repeats these mating rituals. Females will actually mate with multiple males, therefore having multiple fathers in that one clutch of eggs.

Typically, the average alligator’s lifespan is 50 years; however, the oldest on record is in its early 70s. While alligators of 10 feet can have as much as 1,800 pounds of bite, alligators can grow to a maximum length of 14 feet. Here at Alligator Alley, we’re home to Captain Crunch, a 13-foot, 8-inch long alligator weighing over 800 pounds and holding a world record for his bite strength of 2,982 pounds! To learn more about the life of an alligator, come visit us in February for a tour of the farm!

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.

1.  Most reptiles cannot chew their food, they can only tear it with their teeth and claws.

2.  Reptiles are Ectotherms.

Reptiles are often described as being cold-blooded, even though their blood is not cold. Reptiles are Ectothermic, meaning they cannot regulate their body temperatures internally like humans and other mammals do. Reptiles depend on the sun and other forms of warmth to maintain a stable body temperature. When you visit Alligator Alley next time, be on the lookout for alligators basking in the sun!

3. There are over 8,000 species of reptiles on the planet.

Reptiles can be found on every continent, aside from Antarctica. And we don’t blame them – it’s too cold!

4. Reptiles are one of the longest living species on the planet.

For example, Aldabra tortoises can live for more than 150 years; alligators can live to be 70 years old; and Ball Pythons can live for up to 40 years. If you decide to adopt a reptile as a pet, prepare yourself for a lifetime of commitment!

5. Reptiles are also the oldest animal on the planet.

Many reptiles, including turtles and crocodiles, have been on our planet for over 200 million years. Think of them as modern day dinosaurs.

6. Alligators can only be found in the United States and China.

American Alligators, including the 450 alligators here at Alligator Alley, live in the southeast United States. The Chinese Alligator is on the verge of extinction and can only be found in the Yangtze River Valley. In fact, there are more Chinese Alligators living in captivity than in the wild.

7. Baby alligators’ gender is determined by temperature.

When a mother lays her eggs, the temperature in which the eggs develop will determine the baby’s gender. Eggs exposed to temperatures of 86°F will become female, and eggs exposed to temperatures above 93°F will become male.

8. Most snakes are not harmful to humans.

Only about 500 species of snakes are venomous. Of those 500, only 30-40 species harm humans. Additionally there are 200 species of venomous snakes that are medically important. Fortunately, only six of these venomous species reside in Alabama.

9. Most reptiles are carnivores.

Most reptiles feed on insects, small animals, or other reptiles. In fact, alligators are known to prey on smaller alligators!

10. Reptiles are not slimy.

Reptiles do not have sweat glands or sebaceous glands so their skin actually remains cool, dry, and waterproof. The next time you visit Alligator Alley, take advantage of the opportunity to hold a baby alligator – you will certainly notice how dry their skin is!

We hope you feel more knowledgeable about these amazing creatures! Next time you’re in our area, make plans to visit the farm and meet our scaly friends personally. And don’t forget to share your favorite #AlligatorAdventure memory with us on Reptile Awareness Day (Oct. 21)!

When people think of our name, “Alligator Alley,” they typically imagine a swamp crawling with alligators. If you have visited Alligator Alley before you are well aware that we are home to over 400 alligators, but you may also remember that we are home to several other friendly creatures including a pig, a fox squirrel, turtles and more. One of our newest family members at Alligator Alley is a Sulcata Tortoise named “The Godfather.”

The Godfather came from a Baton Rouge reptile show last year. We planned on including him in our reptile exhibit. As we expected, he is not only an awesome addition to our exhibit, but he’s quickly become a beloved member of the family. The Godfather has a unique, quirky personality and is very friendly – especially if you offer him a snack!

Like alligators, tortoises are fascinating animals. Native to the Sahara Desert and the Sahel Grasslands, the Sulcata Tortoise, also known as the African Spurred Tortoise, is the third-largest species of tortoise in the world. The Sulcata Tortoise is also the largest mainland tortoise. They are herbivores with a diet consisting mostly of grasses and plants. If you ever have the opportunity to feed a Sulcata Tortoise, avoid feeding them fruit as it will make them very sick.

Sulcata Tortoises are very friendly and have become popular pets over the years. If you are entertaining the idea of getting a Sulcata Tortoise, brace yourself for commitment because these tortoises can live up to 150 years! In the wild, they dig large burrows in the ground to find areas with higher moisture levels. The tortoise then spends the warmest parts of the day hidden in these burrows.

The Godfather only makes public appearances during the spring and summer months when the reptile exhibit sets up shop, so the next time you visit Alligator Alley, be sure to take the time to say hello to The Godfather!

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