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!

Alligator Alley is a fun learning adventure for students and teachers alike! After a guided tour along the boardwalk, your students will get to witness the alligator feedings. Want to feed them yourself? Grab some alligator chow and we’ll let you be the master! But don’t worry, we won’t just throw you to the alligators – we’ll be there to give instruction and supervise, of course.

After you’ve finished your guided adventure and walking tour along the elevated boardwalk, come hang out in our air-conditioned alligator station, where you can hold a baby alligator – and maybe even take a selfie with them. Our expert staff members are always happy to chat with you and answer anything you ever wanted to know about alligators!

Once your students have enjoyed visiting with the alligators and other natural wildlife inhabitants, stop by our shaded picnic area for a brown bag lunch. This is the perfect opportunity to ask your students what their favorite part of the day was and continue education.

Information you need to know before you come:

• Self-guided tour along the elevated boardwalk to safely view the alligators
• Daily feedings at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• Can accommodate up to 150 people
• Kid friendly and safe
• Handicap accessible
• Shaded picnic area for lunch
• Photography welcome
• Over 450 alligators from hatchlings to mature adults
• Other natural wildlife inhabitants include turtles, ospreys, owls, bull frogs and more!

If you’re ready to book your field trip to Alligator Alley, give us a call at 251-946-2483,or email info@gatoralleyfarm.com. For pricing, visit our website. We can’t wait to have you and your class here at the farm!

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!

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!

Speaking of talents, you don’t want to miss our live performances – everyday at 11, 1 and 4! Also known as our live feedings, this special attraction really gets the alligators going and reels in a great crowd. With suspense, excitement and hungry alligators, we never know what to expect. If you’re a family full of thrill-seekers or just enjoy a good show, you should definitely make your way to Summerdale, Alabama for a visit.

Here’s a sneak peek of what to expect at our live feedings:

Give these alligators a round of applause for that impeccable performance! We give it five out of five stars!

After the feeding, take a stroll down the boardwalk in the swamp to enjoy the shade and check out all 450+ of our scaly friends in their natural habitat. You might even stumble upon a few nests filled with alligator eggs if you make it out before the end of summer!

So, why not treat yourself and your family to an experience to never be forgotten? Check out our hashtag to see our guests’ adventures and then start planning your trip to make your own memories. #AlligatorAlleyAdventure.

Give us a visit, and we’ll be sure to provide you an adventure!

ALLIGATOR PROFILE:

Captain Crunch

Age: late 30s

Length: 13’ 2”

Weight: 800+ pounds

Fun Fact: Captain Crunch isn’t sweet like the cereal – he’ll bite back. Keep your distance from this guy, especially during feeding time.

Best known for: His world record for bite strength of 2,982 pounds. Ouch!

Big Moe

Age: late 30s

Weight: 750 pounds

Fun Fact: Not only is Moe big, but he’s blind in one eye. He doesn’t let that stop him from jumping really high out of the water. Watch out for Big Moe and his scare tactics.

Best known for: His bubbly personality.

Pickles

Age: 6 years old

Weight: 60 pounds

Fun Fact: Pickles is the most well-known among the young alligators. You can spot him sporting green toenails on the weekend.

Best known for: Having his very own Facebook page. Give him a follow!

Prince Eric

Age: late 30s

Weight: 700 pounds

Fun Fact: Prince Eric won’t just eat anything that’s thrown his way. His elevated palate is how he earned his name. #diva

Best known for: His royalty. All hail Prince Eric.

The Colonel

Age: mid 40s

Weight: 900-1000 pounds (Our scale tops out at 899.)

Fun Fact: The Colonel is the largest alligator on the farm, and also the laziest.

Best known for: Knocking heads and taking names. Look out.

Now that you know a little bit more about these fellas, do you think you can spot them on your next visit to the swamp? Put yourself to the test and tag us on Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #AlligatorProfile and include your guess along with a photo of one of our guys! Remember, we’re open seven days a week, 10-5 and have live feedings everyday at 11, 1 and 4. Tune in on Facebook soon!

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.