Maximo
At 15 feet 3 inches and 1250 pounds, Maximo is the largest animal in our park. He is a Saltwater Crocodile or "Saltie" as they call them in Australia. His egg was collected and hatched by aborigines who then sold him to the Cairns Crocodile Farm in Australia. He grew to be 15 feet in less than 30 years and may live to be 60 or even 80 years old. Saltwater crocodiles are the largest of all the crocodilians, sometimes reaching a length of 18 feet. We are thrilled to be able to display this impressive specimen in our park. Don't miss a close-up look at Maximo from our underwater viewing windows.

Wading bird rookery
Explore the native swamp exhibit where hundreds of wading birds fly in to roost in the late afternoons. Herons, egrets, ibis, spoonbills, and wood storks can be seen in their natural environment. These birds seek out evening roosts above the alligators, knowing that alligators will keep tree-climbing predators away. From April through July the birds are in full breeding plumage and are building nests and raising families right in front of our visitors.

Albino Alligators
Glimpse these rare and mystical creatures from the bayous of Louisiana. There is a legend that those who gaze upon these beautiful reptiles will receive good fortune.

Land of Crocodiles
Discover crocodiles from the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Here you can see Alligators, Crocodiles, Caiman, and Gharial.

Gomek Forever
At a massive size of almost 18 feet long and nearly 2,000 pounds, Gomek was one of the largest crocodilians ever on display. Gomek is now preserved and part of a rare and beautiful collection of hand carved Papua New Guinea art.

Exotic Birds and Mammals
South American toucans and parrots, Australian kookaburras and emus, Asian pheasants, and African turacos are just a few of the exotic birds on display at the Alligator Farm. The mammal collection includes seven different species of endangered monkeys. They range in size from the world's smallest monkey, the mouse-sized pygmy marmoset, to the large South American spider monkey that swings across the branches of its exhibit.

While crocodilians often come to the surface to swallow prey, they don’t have to.  They can expel the extra water by squeezing it back out of their stomachs.  Of course we all assume that alligators purposely drink water, but it is rarely witnessed.  In September 2004 we witnessed this adult female American alligator Alligator mississippiensis drinking water.  She had been out of the water most of the night and when we noticed her she was still lying on land.  She moved her head over the pond and let her lower jaw settle into the water. She tilted her head down toward the water at almost a 45-degree angle.  From the side we could see that she was lowering her tongue, creating a pouch that filled with water.  At the same time she was opening her palatal valve.  She used her palatal valve and her tongue to push the water to the back of her throat.  Her intake of water went on for almost five minutes. In this video her mouth is closed, but you can see her swallow and see excess water squeeze out from the back of her jaws. While crocodilians often come to the surface to swallow prey, they don’t have to.  They can expel the extra water by squeezing it back out of their stomachs.  Of course we all assume that alligators purposely drink water, but it is rarely witnessed.  In September 2004 we witnessed this adult female American alligator Alligator mississippiensis drinking water.  She had been out of the water most of the night and when we noticed her she was still lying on land.  She moved her head over the pond and let her lower jaw settle into the water. She tilted her head down toward the water at almost a 45-degree angle.  From the side we could see that she was lowering her tongue, creating a pouch that filled with water.  At the same time she was opening her palatal valve.  She used her palatal valve and her tongue to push the water to the back of her throat.  Her intake of water went on for almost five minutes. In this video her mouth is closed, but you can see her swallow and see excess water squeeze out from the back of her jaws.