Debbie's Homeschool Corner: St. Augustine Alligator Farm

Monday, February 24, 2014

St. Augustine Alligator Farm

Emily has been fascinated with alligators for years, so she has anxiously been looking forward to the visit we just made to the St Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. Every time we go to Florida, she asks to see some alligators, but this year was the first time we actually made it happen!

The Alligator Farm specializes in alligators, having all 23 species of crocodilians on site, but it also includes other reptiles, small mammals, and exotic birds. We spent about three hours here visiting the exhibits and watching three presentations: “Realm of the Alligator,” “Alligator Feeding,” and “Scales and Tails,” a presentation featuring turtles, skinks, and snakes.

The park was small enough to navigate easily, and to quickly get back to the theater or lagoon for the scheduled shows. The landscaping was lovely, and sidewalks and boardwalks wound around to the different exhibits.

We found it fascinating to see the different types of crocodilians and to learn about their features. I had some of my misconceptions corrected. We learned that a person can easily outrun an alligator—and no need to zig zag as I’ve heard before. Alligators, like other reptiles don’t need to eat daily and can, in fact, survive for weeks without eating if necessary. (The reptilians here are well fed, of course.) I was also fascinated to learn that alligators are intelligent enough to be trained and to learn their names. Sure enough, when called, “Skipper” crawled right out of the water to receive a treat!

Interspersed among the reptile exhibits were a rookery of exotic birds, small mammal exhibits and a reptilian fossil display.

We had a very enjoyable day at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and I highly recommend it if you are in the area, especially if you have an animal lover in your family!