Meet Gatorland’s Halloween Rock Stars:
Elvira The Tarantula, A White Reticulated Python Named Casper and Athena The Owl
ORLANDO, Florida (Oct. 29, 2018) – Gatorland®, the “Alligator Capital of the World,” not only has famous alligators and crocodiles but their very own Halloween celebrities. Elvira The Tarantula is one of six five-year-old Arizona Blonde Tarantulas who were given to the park by a family whose kids went off to college. They weigh just a couple ounces each and dine on crickets. They can be seen at Gatorland during the Up-Close Encounters Show, the Gator Night Shine Experience or Trainer For A Day.
Athena, a beautiful Eastern Great Horned Owl was given to Gatorland by the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Central Florida. She was considered non-releasable from a fractured wing as a fledgling. Gatorland estimates her age to be about 20 years old. Guests can see her in her own habitat near the train station in the park.
Casper the Leucistic Reticulated Python just arrived to Gatorland a few weeks ago and although not yet on display inside the park, he became an instant success on Instagram when guests were asked to name him. Another animal donation, Casper is white in color and is about seven months old. Reticulated pythons are the largest species of snakes in the world and can grow to be over 25 feet long. Casper has a long way to go and Gatorland can’t wait to see him grow.
“We love showcasing these very special animals for our guests and telling the conservation story of how we took them into our Gatorland family,” said Mark McHugh, President and CEO of Gatorland. “Animal conservation has been a keystone of our existence for about 70 years.”
Gatorland is a 100-acre theme park combining Old Florida charm with exciting experiences, exhibits, and entertainment. The park originally opened as a roadside attraction in 1949. Today, it provides affordably-priced family fun featuring thousands of alligators and crocodiles, breeding marsh with observation tower, free-flight aviary, nature walk, petting zoo, educational wildlife programs, award-winning gift shop, Florida’s best train ride, Gator Gully Splash Park, on-site restaurant and one-of-a-kind shows including Gator Jumparoo and Up-close Encounters. Popular adventure experiences inside the park include the Screamin’ Gator Zipline and Stompin’ Gator Off-Road adventure.
For more Gatorland information, visit us online at www.gatorland.com or call 800-393-JAWS. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gatorland, on Twitter https://twitter.com/gatorland on Instagram: gatorland_orlando https://www.instagram.com/gatorland_orlando/.
#Gatorland#WeAreAlligators#WeAreFamily
# # #
Press contact: Kathy Hernandez & Associates Public Relations, kathy@khapr.com or (407) 381-0428.