Monday we went north to St Augustine. It was Columbus Day here in the USA, a public holiday for some people.
We found the Alligator Farm! I wanted to see some local reptiles - 'American Alligators' although there are another type as well, Chinese Alligators.
The St Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park was founded in 1893 and is one of the oldest zoos in the country. This is the only place in the world that displays all 23 living species (of crocodilians) from the Americas, Australia, Africa and Asia. Discover a diverse collection of birds, mammals and reptiles while you explore the park.
We watched the reptile keepers feed the alligators and learnt interesting facts about them. We saw an albino alligator from the bayous of Louisiana, only discovered in 1992. We saw a Komodo dragon (bigger than I thought they'd be!) and a cassowary, also Galapagos (Giant) Tortoises.
There was a display called 'Gomek Forever' = one of the largest crocdilians ever caught in Papua New Guinea, 18 ft long (6 m) and 2000 pounds. He has been preserved. The Australian salt water croc now on display, and the largest in the park, is named 'Maximo' - he's 15 ft (5m) and 1250 pounds, but he hasn't finished growing yet and may well grow to Gomek's size in the future....
As we were leaving, I was saying to Dave how I'd enjoyed the day and had done everything I wanted to see and do (fed alligators) but we hadn't seen the baby 'gators that I'd read about being able to touch in the brochure....
We rounded the corner, and a zoo keeper was standing there holding one! I got all excited and asked if I could touch it and take a photo and she said, 'Sure! I'll even take your photo!' We decided to walk to her little studio and she took the pic - she even offered for us to nurse a snake (python) as well ("No, thanks, we don't 'do' snakes," I said - especially after Bill tells us he & Asha saw a brown snake when walking at home this past week....).
I've included the pic below - the alligator's scales were silky smooth and she was just a little cool to touch, and very well behaved, what with her mouth taped over & all...!
I can see why they make good handbags and shoes..... not that I'd want any! They're beautiful creatures!!!
Here I was thinking you guys are sooo brave holding that 'gator' - I didn't realise the mouth was taped up...it's the only way to hold one I reckon.
ReplyDeleteYeah - I asked about that. The keeper said that it wouldn't draw blood but for safety they have to keep it taped up - poor thing!
ReplyDelete