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Where to catch a glimpse!
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ST. AUGUSTINE ALLIGATOR FARM |
Wannabe crocodile
hunters and alligator wrestlers beware...the massive creatures roaming
through Florida's waters are very real and sometimes they're downright
dangerous. Distinguishing between the two is easy – alligators have
a rounded snout while crocodiles have a triangular snout.
For a safe peek into the habitats of these reptiles, take a good look
at them from these supervised programs...if you dare!
Wooten's Alligator Park
The Wooten family has been entertaining visitors since its inception in
1953. For some action-packed excitement, tour the Everglades from the
comfort and safety of an authentic swamp buggy. Travel through Halfway
Creek, filled with tropical flora and fauna native only to the Everglades
- and of course an alligator or two.
The airboat tour takes guests on a five-mile tour of Native American canoe
trails used during the Seminole wars within the big cypress preserve.
More than 200 live alligators, 27 endangered American crocodiles and one
of southwestern Florida's largest live snake collections are on-hand for
photo opportunities.
Wooten's is located 35 miles south of Naples on US-41, Ochopee, Florida
For information call (239) 695-2781 or call toll free
1-800-282-2781 or visit www.wootenseverglades.com.
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| CARIBBEAN GARDENS |
One of Homestead's busiest attractions is currently home to about 3,000 alligators. The smaller gators are kept in grow-out pens, while the larger creatures are kept in natural surroundings called breeding ponds.
A trip to the alligator farm includes an exciting airboat tour into the surrounding Everglades and a walk around the farm to see the alligators, crocodiles, caimans and wildlife. There is also a great display of local snakes including some of the most exotic species found around the world.
Everglades Alligator Farm is located at 40351 SW 192nd Ave., Florida City, FL. For information call (305) 247-2628.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm
At 15 feet 3 inches and 1,250 pounds, Maximo is the king of the farm. Brought from his native home in Australia, this farm's mascot is the largest breed of crocodiles, the saltwater, and has been known to reach lengths of 18 feet. Albino alligators, crocodiles and exotic birds and mammals are all found on display in this natural surrounding.
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm is located at 999 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine, FL. For information and hours of operation call (904) 824-3337 or visit www.alligatorfarm.com.
Gatorama Inc.
Schedule a visit to see the largest captive breeder of an Acutus crocodile in all of North America. Gatorama has been entertaining visitors since 1957, when Cecil Clemons opened this thriving attraction.
After David Thielen and his wife Marietta purchased Gatorama in 1986, the couple developed the land into an operating alligator farm, complete with farm raised alligator meat for sale and a gift shop.
Gatorama Inc. is located at 6180 U.S. Highway 27, Palmdale, FL. For information and hours of operation call (863) 675-0623 or visit www.gatorama.com.
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| EVERGLADES ALLIGATOR FARM |
This 110-acre alligator theme park and wildlife preserve has been amazing guests since it first opened its doors in 1949.
Be sure to catch the Gator Jumparoo Show, which is highlighted by gators that jump four to five feet out of the water to snatch food from the trainer's hand. The alligator wrestling show is pure excitement as wrestlers catch a six -to eight-foot alligator by hand and climb on to the animal's back to point out survival features to the audience. After the stunt, the trainer rolls the gator over and puts it to sleep...awakening it by a light tickle!
Gatorland is located at 14501 South Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL. For information or directions call toll free 1-800-393-JAWS or (407) 855-5496 or visit www.gatorland.com.
Everglades Day Safari
This journey into the depths of Florida's Everglades departs daily from Sanibel, Fort Myers, Naples or Fort Lauderdale at 7:45 a.m., and returns to the park daily at 5 p.m.
Participants can experience the "real Florida" through nature tours, a scenic boat ride, a drive through the "Outback" on dirt roads and an airboat ride into the swamps and sawgrass prairies.
Guides assist guests seeking out mammals, reptiles and birds on this adventure, while teaching preservation and respect for Florida's wildlife.
If a full day of gator watching seems a bit much for you, Captain Bob's Excellent Adventure invites guests to partake on an airboat journey deep into the swamp, where they’ll suddenly find themselves surrounded by alligators.
Upon returning to the park, all visitors can enjoy scheduled programs including an interactive reptile show that allows audience members to hold some of Florida's most famous inhabitants.
For information or reservations from your choice of departure call toll free 1-800-472-3069 or (239) 472-1559.
Jungle Adventures
For more than 25 years Jungle Adventures has been dedicated to the ecology, biology and history of the area and world we live in.
They bring that adventure to life through tours and shows that highlight jungle cruises and animal exhibits.
The dinner bell rings four times daily for the resident alligators. Watch as their powerful jaws crush and swallow their food whole and capture a photo of "Jaws" and "Goliath", two of Jungle Adventures 13-and 14-foot-long gators.
Jungle Adventures is located at 26205 East Highway 50, Christmas, FL. For information, hours of operation or directions call toll free 1-877-4-AGATOR or (407) 568-2885 or visit www.jungleadventures.com.
Caribbean Gardens
The only zoo in Naples is where visitors can tour world-famous botanical gardens or cruise through the primate wilderness on a catamaran.
A spectacular highlight of the gardens is Alligator Bay, where the giant reptiles glide through sparkling waters and lay out on the nearby banks and islands.
Daily feedings, lectures and one-on-one question periods are available.
Caribbean Gardens is located at 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road, Naples, FL. For information call (239) 262-5409 or visit www.caribbeangardens.com.
Coopertown Airboats
Once an original Indian village, Coopertown is now a hub of native Florida eco-tours. Journey out to the Everglades on an airboat and watch as wild alligators pop their snouts up to say hello. A knowledgeable tour guide is along to answer any questions visitors to the glades may have.
Upon return to town, the folks of Coopertown invite all participants to stay awhile and enjoy a lunch of gator tail or Everglades frog legs at the Coopertown Restaurant.
Coopertown Airboats is located west of Miami on Highway 41. For information and directions call (305) 226-6048 or visit their Website at www.coopertownairboats.com.
Jungle Erv's Airboat World
Take a three-hour pontoon, safari, airboat and alligator tour! Jungle Erv's Airboat World offers visitors their choice of six unique tours that take visitors deep into the heart of the Everglades. Hold an alligator that rides along with participants of the Pontoon Boat Tour or the land-based Wildlife Safari.
The park's alligator park is expected to finish a recent refurbishment mid-December.
Jungle Erv's is located in Everglades City, FL. For information call toll free 1-800-432-3367 or visit www.edenoftheeverglades.com. -