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.

Alligator Alley is a unique learning adventure for all ages. We have special opportunities for the kiddos and teachers to witness alligator feedings, hold baby alligators and enjoy a tour along our boardwalk. Witness more than 600 alligators – from hatchlings to mature adults – in their natural habitat, all while viewing turtles, ospreys, owls and frogs just a few feet away. It’s the perfect place to relish in the outdoors and get out of the classroom for a hands-on learning experience you will never forget!

During your field trip, you can stop by the air-conditioned alligator station to get your hands on a baby alligator. Our expert staff members are always nearby to chat and answer questions about each animal. If you want to get your heart pumping, be sure to hang around for the live feedings that happen every day during peak season at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. After all the excitement, you can enjoy your lunch at the shaded picnic tables right across from the viewing area.

Field trip prices are set at special rates and teachers and bus drivers have free admission! Visitors also have the option to buy alligator chow to feed the alligators while walking the boardwalk and taking in the wildlife.

If you’re a teacher looking for a fun, out-of-the-box field trip for your class – you’ve found it! Start your school year off the right way, with a field trip to Alligator Alley! To book a day at the farm, call 251-946-2483 or drop us a line. Don’t forget to hang out with us on Facebook and Instagram and share your fun adventures. #AlligatorAlleyAdventure

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!
  

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.