Friendly Gathering - a photo on Flickriver

Friendly Gathering

Saint Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park ~ circa 1893
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine_Alligator_Farm_Zoolog...

150 Adult Alligators! - St. Augustine, FL U.S.A. - Gator School!
Bright Blue-Sky Day - Northern Florida - Autumn 2021 - 11/1/21

*[left-double-click for a closer-look - 12:00 PM - Noon Snack-Time!]

*[Polite-Neighbors - attentive - Back to Back - Get Off My Back!]

The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is one of Florida's oldest continuously running attractions, having opened on May 20, 1893. It has 24 species of crocodilians, and also a variety of other reptiles, mammals and birds, as well as exhibits, a few animal performances, and educational demonstrations. The park began in 1893 on St. Augustine Beach as a minor attraction at the end of a railway running through neighboring Anastasia Island. The alligators were added at first to get visitors to buy souvenirs and see the museum there. Soon, the reptiles themselves became the main point of interest. Growing in popularity, the park moved to its current location in the early 1920s. The park changed owners in the 1930s, and, after a devastating fire, they started reconstruction and expansion of the facilities. In 1993, for their 100-year anniversary, the park became the first place in the world to display every species of crocodilian. As of 2012, this was the only place where one can see every species of alligator, crocodile, caiman and gharial. Over the years, the zoo has expanded to include exotic monkeys, birds, and other reptiles. The bird collection alone boasts some species not often seen in other zoos, including hornbills, cassowary, marabou, Cape griffon vultures and Pesquet's parrots. In 2008, the zoo opened a new Komodo dragon facility that also exhibits lizards and snakes found within the range of the saltwater crocodile. On September 10, 1992, the Alligator Farm was designated a U.S. Historic District. The back section of the park contains a large bird rookery, where 'free-roaming' local bird species such as egrets, herons, wood storks & roseate spoonbills nest & rear their young.

The American alligator is a large crocodilian reptile endemic to the southeastern United States. Adult male American alligators measure 11 to 15 ft in length and can weigh up to 999 lbs. Females are smaller measuring around 9.8 ft. The American alligator inhabits freshwater wetlands such as marshes and cypress swamps from Texas to North Carolina. It is distinguished from the sympatric American crocodile by its broader snout, with overlapping jaws and darker coloration, and is less tolerant of saltwater but more tolerant of cooler climates than the American crocodile, which is found only in tropical climates.

Alligators are apex predators and consume fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Subsequent conservation efforts have allowed their numbers to increase and the species was removed from the endangered species list in 1987. The species is the official state reptile of three states: Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi U.S.A.

Largest Alligator Ever: "Gomek" - (1927-1997) - 17' 9" - 1896 lbs
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gomek

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_alligator

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._augustine_florida

Taken in: United States / Florida / Anastasia (show map)

Taken on: November 1, 2021

Tags:

The Florida Photographer

Wildlife Photography

alligator

Florida

North Florida

U.S.A.

United States

wetlands

Alligator mississippiensis

apex predator

wildlife

group

on the surface

nature

natural

beauty

St. Augustine, Florida

calm

sunlit

texture

heads

skin

teeth

scales

armor

eyes

outdoor

eye contact

The Look

head

jaw

nose

brown eye

FLA

American Alligator

reptile

Just A Few Gators

150

Autumn 2021

11/1/21

mid-day sunlight

bright

Among Friends

12:00 PM

Snack-Time!

noon-snack

they all get fed very well!

their main-dinner is at dusk!

RIP Steve Irwin - Australia

St. Augustine Alligator Farm

Zoological Park ~ 1893

Friendly Gathering

sunny

Sunrays+5

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