St Augustine Alligator Farm, FL

On a beautiful day in St. Augustine, we take Christine & the kids to the Alligator Farm Zoological Park.

Great old safari vehicle

Entrance

Our first stop after paying our entrance fee, was at the gator photo ops.

This one's big enough for all to ride

Brooklyn for breakfast - good thing it's not real

There's lots to see and do here - not just alligators and crocodiles. 

Florida turtle ?

Baby gators

Rare albino baby gators

There's a ranger led show starting soon, so we quickly make our way to the Theater area.  Among other creatures, she introduces us to Tilly the Armadillo. Tilly is a bit shy at first coming our of her carrier, but once she realizes there are worms waiting for her, she warms up to the crowd and gobbles down the worms with relish. After the main show, the ranger lets the kids individually come up to meet a friendly snake. It really is a good show and we all enjoy it.

The range introduces Tilly the Armadillo

Tilly on the big screen

Christine and the kids getting introduced to a snake

The Asian Crocodilians exhibit was a real eye opener for us. We had no idea how widespread they are in the world.  What's the difference between an alligator or crocodile?  According to a plaque at the Alligator Farm -

Alligators have a more rounded snout, and somewhat of an overbite. Rarely do an alligator's lower teeth show when their mouth is closed.
Crocodiles usually have a more pointed snout, and have a very prominent fourth tooth on the lower jaw.

Rare Chinese gators

Cuban crock

Indian Gharial

Ancient Egyptian Nile crocodile mummy

Tortoises and turtles are well represented:

Galapagos tortoise

Yellow-bellied sliders ?

Florida Box turtle ?

Many of the birds on exhibit come from Africa or Australia.

Griffon vulture

Cassowary eyes Cody

Cockatoo parrot

It's getting close to lunchtime at the Alligator Lagoon. Of course we have to see the feeding of the gators.

The ranger introduces us to the local gators

DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!

What a puny stick you have

Heh - heh - heh

Feed me!

We're hungry

This lucky gator gets its lunch tossed to him

Feeding frenzy

Wow - that was exciting. After watching that feeding frenzy, I can see there's little chance of escape once the gators come after you (chills down spine). Time to move on to other exhibits.

Brooklyn waves to a Komodo dragon

Ugh - scorpion

Python

Then onto to see huge gators that have passed on.

Gomek - the park's biggest ever

prehistoric monster

Before leaving, we take the boardwalk through the Alligator Swamp & Wading Bird Rookery. It's nesting season and there's a large group of photographers all sporting large telephoto lens. I do the best with the lens I brought, but sorely miss my longer telephoto back at the house.

Trees are full of nesting birds

A last photo op before we leave.

Brooklyn

Cody

Christine

Of course, the exit is through the Gift Shop.

Brooklyn with new pal Lucky the monkey