At. Augustine Alligator Zoological Park - 3/10/14

This park was opened in May of 1893! We enjoyed this park much more than we expected.  The sheer number of alligators in one of the enclosures is astounding, even though they were mostly very docile during the time we saw them. They climb over and lay on each other without any fighting.  They are so well fed, that they are not that anxious to eat during feeding time (although they can jump an amazing 2/3rds of their height).

There are two albino alligators from the Louisiana bayou that are pretty amazing.  Legend has it that those who gaze upon them will have good fortune (I hope so!!)

Some of the other exotic critters include:
- 21-foot python (capable of eating large mammals!)
- rare mammals (pygmy marmosets, red-ruffed lemurs)
- native Florida amphibians and reptiles (snakes)
- Komodo dragon (below)

Check out Maximo: he is a 15' 3", 1,250 pound, Australian alligator and the largest animal in the park.

The most amazing aspect of this place though is the native rookery of wading birds (herons, egrets, ibis, spoonbills, wood storks).  Literally hundreds of birds nest here because of the security provided by the hundreds of alligators in the park.

kgh

St. Augustine Alligator Zoological Park