Animal encounters at the Alligator Farm provide an exciting opportunity to get up close and personal with some of our zoo’s most fascinating species.
Each Animal Encounter has specific rules and regulations that must be observed in order to ensure the safety of our visitors and animals. Please read the Animal Encounter policies within the description of each Encounter.
MAXIMO VIP VIEWING EXPERIENCE
In this dramatic encounter, you’ll have an up-close view of Maximo’s incredible feeding process as the 15-foot, 1,250-pound croc leaps from the water to retrieve his dinner. A saltwater crocodile, or “Saltie” as his species is called in Australia, Maximo hatched from an egg collected by Aboriginal people along an Australian riverbank. He was brought to the Alligator Farm in 2003, and since then has been the zoo’s largest and most beloved Saltie. During the Maximo encounter, you will be permitted to accompany our zookeepers and educators atop Maximo’s feeding platform, where you’ll hear a short presentation about saltwater crocodiles’ diets, behaviors, and habitats, and about the role the Alligator Farm plays in their conservation. You’ll then experience the feeding session from our elevated platform that will give you a new perspective to our top predator.
ENCOUNTER INFORMATION:
Time: 12:00 pm
Day: Saturday
Price: $25 per person in addition to zoo admission
Note: Encounter runs 15-20 minutes. There is a 6-person maximum.
Maximo VIP Viewing Additional Information
Before Your VIP Viewing
- Participants must be able to walk up a flight of stairs to access the feeding platform.
- We encourage guests to learn about saltwater crocodiles before their visit to enhance the experience.
- Photography is welcome and encouraged.
- Food and drinks are not permitted during the encounter.
Important Information
- Photography is permitted and encouraged.
- No food or drinks are allowed during the encounter.
-
All participants must remain with zoo educators and keepers at all times for the safety of both guests and animals.
Participant Requirements
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Guests must be 18 years or older to participate without an adult.
-
Children age 3 and under are not permitted on encounters or tours.
- All participants must:
- Have a purchased encounter ticket,
- Be a member of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, or
- Receive prior approval from the Education Department.
Ticket & Cancellation Policy
- All encounter tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Refunds or exchanges cannot be issued for lost, stolen, damaged, or unused tickets.
- Because encounters take place in animal habitats, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm reserves the right to cancel an encounter without advance notice due to animal welfare, safety concerns, weather, or other emergencies.
- If the St. Augustine Alligator Farm cancels an encounter, guests will receive a full refund for the encounter.
GALAPAGOS TORTOISE ENCOUNTERS
Interact with the zoo’s most charming reptiles—our Galapagos Tortoise adults! The Galapagos Encounter places you up close and personal with these large tortoises, even providing opportunities to touch and interact with these animals.
A brief introduction will provide an overview of the species’ habitats, behaviors, and diet, and you’ll also learn about the conservation work being done at the Alligator Farm to protect tortoises throughout the world. You’ll then have a 15 to 20-minute physical encounter with these gentle giants, as our staff facilitates your interaction.
ENCOUNTER INFORMATION:
Time: 11 a.m.
Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Price: $45 per person in addition to zoo admission
Note: Encounter runs 15-20 minutes. There is a 6-person maximum.
Galápagos Tortoise Encounter Additional Information
Before Your Encounter
- We encourage you to learn about Galápagos tortoises before your visit to enhance your experience.
- Photography is welcome and encouraged.
- Food and drinks are not permitted in the encounter area.
Important Information
- Photography is permitted and encouraged.
- No food or drinks are allowed during the encounter.
-
All participants must remain with zoo educators and keepers at all times for the safety of both guests and animals.
Animal Health & Safety Requirements
Following recommendations from our veterinary team, all participants must:
- Wash their hands immediately before the encounter.
- Our staff will direct your entire party to the restrooms prior to entering the habitat.
- Use hand sanitizer during the encounter debrief inside the habitat.
Participant Requirements
-
Guests must be 18 years or older to participate without an adult.
-
Children age 3 and under are not permitted on encounters or tours.
- All participants must:
- Have a purchased encounter ticket,
- Be a member of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, or
- Receive prior approval from the Education Department.
Ticket & Cancellation Policy
- All encounter tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Refunds or exchanges cannot be issued for lost, stolen, damaged, or unused tickets.
- Because encounters take place in animal habitats, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm reserves the right to cancel an encounter without advance notice due to animal welfare, safety concerns, weather, or other emergencies.
- If the St. Augustine Alligator Farm cancels an encounter, guests will receive a full refund for the encounter.
RAINFOREST SLOTH ENCOUNTER
Come meet our Hoffman’s two-toed sloths, Teddy and Grizzly! Located inside the Sloth Landing habitat, the Rainforest Encounter allows an up close experience with our sloths that highlights natural behavior. A brief introduction will provide an overview of the species’ habitats, behaviors, and diet, and you’ll also learn about the conservation work being done by the Alligator Farm to protect sloths throughout the world. Staff will then facilitate a 15 to 20-minute encounter with the sloths, where you can feed the sloths their favorite fruits and veggies. All interactions are conducted through positive reinforcement and sloths have the choice to participate, as such, we do not pick-up the sloths or engage in activities that do not allow them to exercise choice. This encounter is sloth-led, so expect a relaxing pace!
ENCOUNTER INFORMATION:
Time: 2:30 pm
Days: Thursday – Sunday
Price: $55 per person in addition to zoo admission
Note: Encounter runs 15-20 minutes. There is a 4-person maximum.
Rainforest Sloth Encounter Additional Information
To help you get the most out of your experience, we encourage you to learn about Hoffman’s two-toed sloths before your encounter.
Important Information
- Photography is permitted and encouraged.
- No food or drinks are allowed during the encounter.
-
All participants must remain with zoo educators and keepers at all times for the safety of both guests and animals.
Animal Health & Safety Requirements
Following recommendations from our veterinary team, all participants must:
- Wash their hands immediately before the encounter.
- Our staff will direct your entire party to the restrooms prior to entering the habitat.
- Use hand sanitizer during the encounter debrief inside the habitat.
Participant Requirements
-
Guests must be 18 years or older to participate without an adult.
-
Children age 3 and under are not permitted on encounters or tours.
- All participants must:
- Have a purchased encounter ticket,
- Be a member of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, or
- Receive prior approval from the Education Department.
Ticket & Cancellation Policy
- All encounter tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Refunds or exchanges cannot be issued for lost, stolen, damaged, or unused tickets.
- Because encounters take place in animal habitats, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm reserves the right to cancel an encounter without advance notice due to animal welfare, safety concerns, weather, or other emergencies.
- If the St. Augustine Alligator Farm cancels an encounter, guests will receive a full refund for the encounter.
General Policies for All Animal Encounters
Guests must be 18 years or older to participate without an adult. Children age three and under are not permitted during encounters or tours. All participants must be paying guests or members of the Alligator Farm or must receive permission from the St. Augustine Alligator Farm’s Education Department, in order to participate. All tickets are non-refundable/non-returnable. We are unable to issue exchanges or refunds after a purchase has been made including but not limited to lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed tickets. However, these encounters take place in the homes of our animals due to safety, we reserve the right to cancel encounters without advanced notice due to emergency. In the event of a cancellation that occurred on behalf of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, a full refund for the encounter will be offered.
BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR
Experience a unique fun-filled behind the scenes tour at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park with one of our expert educators.
On this walking tour, you will be invited to go behind the glass and take part in up-close animal experiences. You will have the opportunity to touch, feed, and see exclusive ambassador animals as you learn all about the global conservation efforts the Alligator Farm is a part of.
TOUR INFORMATION:
Time: 12:30 pm
Days: Tuesday – Sunday
Price: $25 per person in addition to zoo admission.
Note: 10-person maximum
24 hours advance booking required. Children three and under are not permitted during encounters or tours. All participants must be guests or members of the Alligator Farm or must receive permission from the St. Augustine Alligator Farm’s Education Department in order to participate.
