American Alligators Hatch at Gatorland
Dozens of newborn gators welcomed at the theme park
Orlando, Fl., (August 29, 2007) – Gatorland is pleased to announce the birth of dozens of American Alligator hatchlings to be added to the thousands of alligators already on display at the theme park.
American alligators typically breed in the spring. By the end of June they will build a nest that could be up to ten-feet across and two to three feet high. The mother alligator then deposits her eggs into the nest. An average nest may contain up to forty eggs which she will cover over and protect. The nest helps to keep the eggs at a cozy 90 degrees F. This incubates the eggs. Incidentally, the temperature of the incubation determines the sex of the alligators; however 90 degrees will give us a mixed batch of males and females.
The mother alligator will guard the nest during the entire incubation period. 65 days later, end of august to the first week in September, the eggs hatch. The baby alligators typically will not eat for the first few weeks of life; they are still living off the yolk that they lived on while still in the eggs. Baby alligators are called “grunts,” due to the grunting sound that they make when they are in distress. Mother alligator will guard the babies for about a year. However despite her efforts, out of nest of 35 eggs only 2 or 3 will survive to maturity.
“Each of the young alligators measures approximately 6 inches in length and weighs about 3 ounces,” states the Dean of Gator Wrestling, Tim Williams. “Under the right conditions alligators can grow about a foot a year for the first 3 to 4 years. From here on the growth significantly slows down. It is difficult to believe that one day this delicate, little reptile could one-day grow to be over 14 feet long and weigh a thousand pounds or more.”
For more information on this and other additions taking place at Gatorland, log on to www.gatorland.com. The web site features a live Gator Cam located in the Alligator Breeding Marsh where you can see hundreds of alligators in their natural environment while reviewing the latest information available on many of the theme park’s residents.
Gatorland is a 110-acre theme park and wildlife preserve, combining “Old Florida” charm with exciting, new exhibits and entertainment. The park opened as a roadside attraction in 1949. Today, it provides affordable-priced family fun with thousands of alligators, crocodiles, aviary, breeding marsh with observation tower, petting zoo, nature walk, educational wildlife programs, gift shop, Florida’s best train-ride, restaurant, new Gator Gully Splash Park and much more. One-of-A-Kind reptilian shows include the Gator Wrestlin’ Show, Gator Jumparoo and the Up-close Encounters Show. To find out more about “Orlando’s only Theme Park with Bite and Attitude,” visit us online at: www.gatorland.com or call 1-800-393-JAWS.
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