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!

]]> https://gatoralleyfarm.com/farm-friends-feature-the-godfather/feed/ 0 https://gatoralleyfarm.com/six-things-to-know-about-harvesting-alligator-eggs/ https://gatoralleyfarm.com/six-things-to-know-about-harvesting-alligator-eggs/#respond Thu, 10 Aug 2017 14:14:34 +0000 https://gatoralleyfarm.com/?p=420 It’s an exciting time right now at Alligator Alley! Our farmers Wes, Joe and Chris have been working hard harvesting eggs. By this fall, we will have some cute new additions to our farm family.

Not familiar with the process? Well, you’ve come to the right place for a crash course in alligator egg harvesting.

1. There’s a season for mating.

Alligators actually mate by mid-April through the end of May. On average, around 35 eggs are laid, and they incubate in their nest for up to 65 days.

2. Alligators make intricate nests.

Female alligators put time and effort into the nests they create for their babies. The nests are usually up to 10 feet in diameter and up to 3 feet high. The mounds are created using mud, plants, sticks, and grass. Even more interesting, the alligators renest in the same spot 70% of the time – in the wild and here at the farm.

3. Temperature is important.

Unlike all other reptiles, the temperature at which the eggs are incubated will determine the gender. When temperatures are below 82.4 degrees Fahrenheit, females result. Males typically incubate at above 91.4 degrees Fahrenheit—anything in between the two results in an even number of males and females.

4. Hatching time.

The eggs begin to hatch around September! The baby alligators have an “egg tooth” to help them escape from their shells. The mama alligator provides protection from predators to this point. After that, the hatchlings are almost fully independent once they get out of their shells, searching for food and evading predators.

5. What is harvesting?

On farms, the staff often assist the mother in the process, which is called “harvesting.” Basically, the farmers will retrieve the eggs from the nest and place them in an incubator. After they hatch, the hatchlings become new additions to the farm!

6. Why harvest?

As reptiles that were once upon a time on the brink of extinction, harvesting has actually helped in conservation efforts. In the wild, alligator eggs are often destroyed by nature or are eaten by predators such as birds. Harvesting ensures that they are safe and can all successfully hatch. It also helps the farm keep up with the alligator population.

Now that you know all about harvesting, come visit us soon when the new babies arrive! We are eagerly awaiting their arrival—and your’s!

 

Our name may be Alligator Alley, but our land serves as home to a diverse population of creatures. From bullfrogs to fox squirrels, we’re not your typical alligator farm. For the first time on our blog, we are shining the spotlight on some of our favorite farm friends: Hank and Moonpie! On the surface, the two may seem to be just regular old pigs. However, there’s a lot more to them than you may think!

Hank is much older than Moonpie, and he has been on the farm for over 13 years. He was born on New Year’s Day 2004. Originally, Hank came to Alligator Alley with the goal of producing offspring with his wife, Pepper. Sadly, however, Pepper passed away a few years ago, and Hank is now past his breeding years. In his old age, he loves to spend tons of time at the food trough and napping his days away! Retired life suits him very well.

Moonpie is one of the newer additions to Alligator Alley. She has only been on the farm for about three years, and became the new girl in town after Pepper passed away. She keeps old Hank company and keeps him feeling young again!

Both weighing in at a trim 500 pounds, the easiest way to tell the two apart is by their coloring. Hank is has a black body with a white belt, while Moonpie is all white. This color difference exists because they are two different types of pigs. Hank is a Hampshire pig, the earliest hogs brought to America. They were first imported around 1825 from Hampshire County in England, and they are known for their proficiency and vigor.

Moonpie is a Yorkshire pig, a breed that came to America not too long after the Hampshire in 1830. They originated in Ohio, but can now be found all over the United States. Yorkshires are known for being very productive and performance oriented, yet durable.

Hank and Moonpie are two of our favorite animals on the farm. Not only are they fun to visit, but they also add a sense of a true, all-around farm feel to Alligator Alley! Besides, what’s a farm without pigs, chickens and alligators?

If you want to come meet this month’s featured farm animals for yourself, come visit us today!

1. Get out of the house

Summer is a great time to relax in your air-conditioned house, but it’s also prime time to get out into nature and soak up some sun. Alligator Alley has plenty of wildlife to explore and plenty of spots to cool off in the shade. Take a tour of the grounds on our elevated boardwalk, get up close and personal with a baby alligator, and take a turn feeding some alligators yourself.

2. Embark on an educational adventure

Summer might mean school’s out, but that’s no reason to stop learning! At Alligator Alley, we make wildlife education fun and interactive. Between our guided tours, live feedings and hands-on interactions, you’ll leave with a whole new level of wildlife knowledge. Did you know that an alligator can go through as many as 2,000 teeth or more in its lifetime? It’s true! Visit us this summer to learn more fun facts about our scaly friends!

3. Visit Captain Crunch

Captain Crunch is one popular alligator around here, and for a good reason: he holds the world record for bite strength at 2,982 pounds! The Captain measures 13 feet 7 inches long and weighs more than 800 pounds. He’s a bit of a lone wolf and tends to keep to himself; and with a bite like that, we won’t disagree.

4. Hold a baby alligator

Get up close and personal with a real alligator by holding one of our babies. These little ones are only a few feet long and they can’t wait for their chance to hang out with the big guys! But for now they’re the perfect size for you to hold. Before you snap a photo with your alligator, be sure to check out its eyelids! Alligators have two sets of eyelids, a normal outer set like humans and a second, clear set that opens from side-to-side and helps them see under water.

5. See more than just alligators

Even though we have a large population of alligators here, we also have tons of other animals to see. Check out the turtles, green herons, bullfrogs and golden silk orb weavers hanging out with the alligators. These animals are normal inhabitants of the alligators’ ecosystem and help them feel right at home here. Don’t forget to visit Hank and Moonpie, our two hogs who love to ham it up for the camera, and our fox squirrel, Fatbaby, who loves to entertain spectators. Be sure to stop by Reno’s Reptiles to see and hold all sorts of animals including snakes, lizards, and turtles, his exhibition will be here until August, so don’t miss your chance!

Check out our summer hours and pricing to start planning your trip! Also, make sure to set up notifications from our Facebook page to catch our live feedings.