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!