Turtles 

Freshwater turtles love spending most of their time hanging out in lakes and ponds or even sunbathing on rocks and logs. Their webbed feet help them smoothly skate through the water. The majority of turtles prefer warm weather, and they tend to hibernate underground during colder seasons. 

Tortoises 

Unlike turtles, you will likely find tortoises on land. Their stumpy, solid feet make walking a breeze! Like turtles most tortoises are omnivores, eating plants, fish, snails and insects. Tortoises inhabit hot, dry climates, but when they want to escape the heat they bury themselves in the mud. Pay a visit to Godfather, one of our most popular tortoises!

Snake

Have you seen something slithering around? It’s probably one of our snakes! Banana is a Burmese Python, one of the world’s largest snakes. Because of poor eyesight, Burmese use heat sensors and chemical receptors to catch their prey. These carnivorous snakes can swallow food five times larger than their head!

Bullfrogs

Bullfrogs get their name from the sound they make. People attribute the sound to the “mooing” of a cow, which is where the “bull” originates. These carnivorous amphibians can live for seven to nine years and weigh just over one pound. Similar to turtles, bullfrogs favor warm weather and hibernate in the mud during colder seasons.

Pigs

At Alligator Alley, you will see our domestic pigs roaming around or playing in the mud. Unlike the feral hogs we feed to our alligators, our domestic pigs are happy members of the farm family.  

Longhorn Cattle

Did you know we have longhorn cattle on the farm? One of our oldest longhorns is named Hootie. They can be spotted from the parking lot, so keep an eye out for them next time you visit Alligator Alley!

Alligators

Last, but certainly not least, our infamous alligators! These carnivorous creatures have a lifespan of 35 to 50 years, and males on average weigh 600 pounds. However, Alligator Alley’s very own Captain Crunch weighs over 800 pounds. Males typically grow between 10 to 15 feet long, half of that being their tail. Because alligators tend to be clumsy on land, they enjoy hanging out in rivers, lakes, swamps and marshes. With webbed feet and a powerful tail, alligators glide through the water with ease. 

 Now you’re all caught up on our farm friends. Check out the details on pricing and hours before your next visit. We can’t wait to see you at Alligator Alley! 

In January 2020, he escaped and spent nearly a week wandering around the town of Summerdale. We will more than likely never find out what mischief he got into on his excursion. One thing is for sure, he was happy when he returned home!

Godfather earned a spot in the hearts of the Alligator Alley family the moment he arrived on the farm in 2016, after coming to us from a Baton Rouge reptile show. He loves when our guests pay him a visit in the reptile area and comes up to the fence to greet them. For such a large tortoise, he is very active and always on the move. Of course, food—especially strawberries and pumpkins—can be a very motivating factor. Godfather loves to eat and be fed.  He will even eat right out of your hand!

Godfather is a Sulcata Tortoise (also known as the African Spurred Tortoise), which is native to the Sahara Desert and Sahel Grasslands. The Sulcata Tortoise is not only the third-largest species of tortoise in the world, but is also the largest mainland tortoise. They are herbivores with a diet that consists of mostly grasses and plants. These tortoises by nature are very friendly and in recent years have become popular pets.

At roughly 30 years old, Godfather weighs in at nearly 75 pounds! He shares an enclosure with Flash, a female Sulcata Tortoise and Garcia, a female Yellow-Foot Tortoise. These two are his best friends. They spend lots of time together during cooler months in anticipation for warmer weather. 

Godfather is mostly visible during the spring and summer months in our reptile area, so next time you visit Alligator Alley, come say hello!

Although we are located inland enough to avoid severe flooding, we still like to plan ahead. Fortunately, our swamp is surrounded by a double-fenced boundary – one of these fences reaches four feet in the ground and 10 feet tall. Our spillway allows us to adjust the water level when it floods so that our alligators remain safe during storms and avoid being flooded out of the swamp. The last thing we want is for our alligators to be swept away from such an oasis. Oh, and don’t worry, we always make sure our alligators have full bellies before a storm!

Alligators predict impending storms just as well, if not better than humans do. They can instinctively sense when a storm is coming due to a drop in barometric pressure. When they sense low pressure, they will bury themselves deep into the swamp and remain safe until the storm passes.

Our other animals like snakes, lizards, turtles and tortoises require a little more preparation than alligators before a storm. We like to give them extra food and board up their glass cages with plywood to prevent the glass from breaking. 

Be cautious during and especially after storms as displaced alligators in the wild tend to take shelter under porches and decks. Make sure to check your backyard and neighborhoods for any alligators that may have been relocated due to flooding. If you do come across an alligator, please contact Alabama Ecological Services for help. It’s never a good idea to approach one of these guys in the wild. 

A hurricane may temporarily put a dampener on summer plans but, at Alligator Alley, it won’t keep our alligators from having a good time. View our hours and pricing to plan your next visit to Alligator Alley accordingly. We can’t wait for you to visit!

Reptiles aren’t graceful eaters

While many animals chew their food before swallowing, reptiles swallow their food whole or tear it apart with their teeth and claws. Want to see it in action? Come to our live feedings every day at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Reptiles prefer the sun

Reptiles are ectothermic, or cold-blooded meaning they can’t regulate their body temperature on their own. Relying on the sun to stay warm, you’ll often see our alligators and other reptiles basking in it in the warmer months. Once the temperature drops below 70 degrees, alligators stop eating but are still visible on sunny days. Below 55 degrees is when alligators go dormant and spend the majority of their time underwater. 

Reptiles are ageless

Did you know? Reptiles are one of the species that live the longest. Our alligators on the farm typically live to around age 70, while tortoises normally live to be 150 years old and some even close to 200 years old! 

No gender-reveal parties for reptiles

The gender of a baby reptile is determined by temperature. That’s right. The temperature at which the egg develops determines if the reptile will be male or female. Eggs at temperatures greater than 86 degrees produce females, while eggs at temperatures lower than 77 degrees produce males. 

Reptiles do not hibernate

Instead of hibernating in the colder months like most mammals, reptiles spend the fall and winter months brumating. Brumating is similar to hibernating, but reptiles do not go dormant. Instead, they may not eat, drink or move as frequently but will remain deep in the water or ground. Reptiles normally begin brumating when temperatures dip below 70 degrees. Don’t worry though, they’ll be back in action as soon as the sun comes out and the water warms up again. 

Protecting reptiles from potential threats

Like many other species, reptiles currently face threats to their environments. Habitat destruction threatens reptiles as land is developed and trees are cut down. The loss of habitat causes reptiles to have to go in search of other places to live. Pollution is another threat posed to reptiles that can harm or even kill them. Reptiles can also be harvested for their skins, eggs and meat leading to overexploitation. Next time you encounter a reptile friend, be mindful of their home and do your part to let them live a healthy and safe life. 

That’s all you need to know about reptiles! All that’s left is a visit to Alligator Alley where you can interact with and even hold our snakes, turtles and frogs for yourself! 

A little over 50 years ago, alligators were classified as an endangered species due to people hunting them and destroying their natural environments. Today, the American Alligator is protected by the Endangered Species Act as a threatened species. Currently, the greatest threat to alligators is human development that takes away from alligators’ natural wetland habitats. While this issue is not easily fixable, there are small ways that you can play a big role in protecting both the alligators and their environment.

Never ever litter. In general, it is never a good idea to litter, but it is especially harmful to litter in waterways. Alligators may accidentally consume litter in waterways which could severely harm or even kill them. Next time you think about tossing your trash in the water, please think again – your alligator pals and other water friends will thank you!

Do not feed wild alligators. While our alligators at the farm love our delicious chow, under no circumstances should you ever feed a wild alligator. Feeding wild alligators is the number one reason that alligators lose their fear of man and become a “nuisance alligator.” Unfortunately, these alligators become uprooted from their natural habitats and euthanized. Thankfully, Alligator Alley has saved quite a few alligators from this fate, but many others are not as fortunate.

Do not interact with alligators in the wild. If you ever encounter an alligator in the wild, do NOT approach it. While you are safe to enjoy our alligators here at the farm, interacting with them in the wild is another story. Be cautious when spotting them in the wild and remember not to feed them or to litter their home with trash. Alligators are naturally afraid of humans, so if you mind your own business they will too.

You play a vital role in keeping alligators safe and free from harm. Next time you visit your friends at Alligator Alley or any natural habitat where animals live, remember the outdoors is their home too. Be respectful and pick up after yourself, and encourage others to do the same. 

The park is close to a mile long, so wear comfortable shoes and allow yourself at least one to two hours to explore. Our alligators grow in size and age the further down the path you go. 

Live feedings tend to be crowded – especially in the summer – so get to the bleachers early to pick out a good spot. 

Save some of the alligator food (chow) for the swamp – there are alligators you can feed both in the water and on land. Bring your chow containers back when you visit again for a discounted, refill price. 

Bring extra cash because some of our outside exhibits (i.e. drink machine, diggers, etc.) don’t take cards. 

The warmer the weather, the more activity you will see. If you’re planning to come in the cooler months, choose a day when the sun is out – our alligators will be basking in it. 

Check out more ways to experience Alligator Alley here! 

In addition to recommendations, we thought we’d answer some of our most asked questions.

When did Alligator Alley open and how many alligators do you have now?

Alligator Alley opened in 2004 and, yes, the swamp is all natural. All of our alligators are rescued and transported from unnatural areas to us at the farm which has been designed to give them a natural environment. We now have over 600 alligators including the babies – none of which we process for meat or hide. 

Is Captain Crunch the biggest alligator at the swamp?

While Captain Crunch is our most famous alligator, he is not the biggest. The Colonel is the biggest, but only by a few inches. All our adult alligators have access to the whole swamp and will move around, so The Colonel and Crunch may not always be visible. 

What’s the diet like for the alligators at Alligator Alley?

The alligator chow we sell is made specifically for alligators and is healthy for them. During our feeding shows, we mainly feed feral pig. It is all donated to us and it’s our way of helping with the feral pig population problem.

Have more questions? See more answers below!

FAQs at Alligator Alley

Alligator Alley FAQs – A Day in the Life on the Farm

Did your questions make the list? Do you have more questions for us or our alligators? Come visit us at Alligator Alley and ask an alligator yourself! 

View our hours and pricing to start planning your trip. For more information, or if you have questions about visiting Alligator Alley, call us at 251-946-2483.

The complex mating ritual begins with the male alligator announcing his presence with low bellowing sounds and by slapping his tail, sending vibrations through the water. On the farm, we call this their “water dance.” Like many other animals, alligators looking to mate will release an odor from their musk glands to make their presence known. 

Direct courtship is initiated when an alligator identifies a potential mate. The male alligator will begin rubbing and pressing his snout and back against the female, a key aspect of the mating ritual. This serves as a contest of strength to prove he is better than other potential suitors. The routine may last hours compared to the very short act of copulation. 

The female must then choose her mate, who will scare off the other suitors and push the female, making his intentions clear. After the pair mate, the male restarts the rituals while the female retreats to build her nest from mud, plants and sticks found around the swamp before beginning the ritual again. Female alligators renest in the same spot 70% of the time – both in the wild and here at the farm.

Female alligators frequently mate with multiple males, meaning there could be multiple fathers within her one clutch of eggs laid. On average, females lay around 35 eggs, though a clutch can be anywhere from 20 to 50 eggs. After covering them in her nest, the incubation period begins. Lasting for about 65 days, the baby alligators will hatch in mid-August or early September. We look forward to another year of hatchlings on the farm!  

As hurricane season begins to creep up again, many people on the Gulf Coast have already begun storm preparations. At Alligator Alley, we are doing the same. We make it our priority to make sure our alligator friends are happy and healthy every day, and we take extra precautions to make sure they feel protected in the event of a hurricane. Much like a typical day at Alligator Alley in the event of a storm, we’re securing equipment, protecting the alligators from glass and making sure all of our friends have full bellies.

Our 500 alligators (and counting) are protected by double-sided fences surrounding the property – one of these fences stands four feet into the ground and 10 feet tall! We are not prone to flooding considering how far inland we are located, but we still like to plan ahead. Our spillway allows us to adjust our water level – which becomes even more important during nesting season. Preventing floods also helps to ensure the alligators remain in the swamp. But really… who would want to escape a place like this?!

Alligators, much like humans, are planners in their own way. They have their own way of prepping for emergency storm situations, as they have an instinctual response that allows them to read barometric changes. When alligators sense the low pressure that signals dangerous weather, they know to submerge themselves to the bottom of the swamp to ride out the storm. Our other animals at Alligator Alley require a little more help with storm preparations. We board up our snake exhibits with plywood to make sure that the glass does not break, and we make sure the lizards, turtles and tortoises all take shelter indoors. 

We do our best to help the alligators prepare for storms, but in the wild the rely completely on their own instincts. Wild alligators often seek safety and shelter under nearby porches or decks. If you live in an alligator-prone area, make sure to check your backyard carefully before inspecting storm damage around your home. If you happen to find an uninvited friend on your property, please contact Alabama Fish and Wildlife or your state’s official service. These professionals will be able to remove the alligator safely. 

We always want to make sure our alligators feel safe and secure during any weather. But don’t just take our word for it. Come see all of our fascinating features around the swamp for yourself! Check out the details on pricing and hours. We can’t wait to see you at Alligator Alley! 

Fun fact: Rising temperatures wake up the reptiles’ metabolisms and they become more energetic and travel further in search of food and mates. 

The mating rituals of alligators include the first introduction, which is a low bellowing sound that helps the male attract their mate. Male alligators often slap the water with their tails, which cause vibrations to occur in the water.

Don’t forget – just like any other animal, alligators will also release an odor from their musk glands to make sure their mating partner knows they are there!

Once the females have mated for the season, they begin to build nests to lay their eggs. These are made from mud, plants and sticks found around the swamp. After the mother alligator lay the eggs (which could be 20 to 50 eggs), she covers them in her nest and the incubation period begins. This process will last roughly 65 days, hatching in mid-August or early September.

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 every day at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Come grab a spot in the bleachers and stay for a wild show! We’ll see you soon!

For more information, or if you have questions about visiting Alligator Alley, call us at 251-946-2483.

Learn more about why alligators are unique

One of our favorite fancy terms for alligators is calling them an “apex predator.” Not a lot of apex predators exist, so it shows us just how unique they are as a creature. Apex predators are important for providing stability in the ecosystem they live in! They help keep prey populations in check and the rest of the local animal life thriving. How cool is that?! 

Never ever litter

Whether you’re out boating with family and friends or running errands in your city, even the smallest amount of litter impacts the entire ecosystem of our local animals, including alligators. While alligators do have super acidic stomachs that can help break down bones of their prey, alligators shouldn’t be consuming plastics, Styrofoam or trash that ends up in the water they swim in. 

Support your local conservation efforts

No matter where you live there are organizations that look for volunteers and donations to help keep our animals, and alligators, protected and taken care of. For more information, be sure to ask your alligator guide when you make your next family visit to Alligator Alley!

For more information, or if you have questions about visiting Alligator Alley, call us at 251-946-2483.