Everglades Alligator Farm050

Alligator shows, snake shows, weird reptile shows, and alligator feedings ... something's happening down on the Everglades Alligator Farm just about hourly.

Show times are posted and are announced over the PA system (you'll find a show of some sort just about hourly). The alligator show features huge gators and smaller ones, and demonstrations of how the Indians used to capture the big guys. When the show's done, brave audience members are encouraged to hold a baby (and take pictures, if you would like)!

While gators are the main attraction, the airboat tours are lots of fun, too. The 30-minute narrated rides give you a great view of wildlife actually in the wild - watch for birds, water snakes, turtles, and, yes, more gators. Everglades offers two admission prices - one that includes an airboat ride, and one that doesn't.

Grow out pens are located to the side of the airboat docking area. The alligators you will see here range from one month to four years old, and are fed a daily diet which is high in protein and low in fat. In carefully controlled conditions, the baby gators can grow as much as three feet a year. Harvest usually occurs when the alligator reaches five and one-half feet in length.

Yes, it's an actual farm, and these gators are grown for pretty much the same purpose as farm animals: for meat and skins.

Birthday Parties down on the farm are an amazing way to celebrate. You'll get a private airboat ride, a private animal show, two hours in a reserved party area, a goodie bag for each child, and the birthday child gets a special gift. Call to reserve in advance.