Gatorama | |
---|---|
Slogan | Play Wild! |
Date opened | 1957 |
Location | Palmdale |
Owner | Allen and Patty Register |
Website | www |
Gatorama is an alligator farm and visitor attraction in Palmdale, Florida, USA. Alligators and crocodiles are raised on the farm for meat and skins.[1] Gatorama is one of Florida's oldest roadside attractions.[2][3][4] Only six alligator farms are open to the public as attractions.[5]
Cecil Clemons opened the farm in 1957.[6][5][7] The alligators were captured locally in the 1960s.[7] Wild crocodiles were caught in Jamaica in 1967-1968.[7]
Allen and Patty Register acquired the property in 2006.[6][8]
Visitors can hold baby alligators as well as pythons.[2][6] Adult participants can perform the "Fast Hands Challenge" to feed an adult alligator.[9] The daily feed show is free with admission, where guests can watch keepers hand feed alligators from the front bridge.[9]
Gatorama has an exhibit dedicated to the critically endangered subspecies Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius).[10] The park works with Florida Fish and Wildlife's Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) program to rehome nuisance alligators.[11][12][13]
Gatorama also features other native Florida wildlife such as the Florida panther, bobcats, racoons, birds, and snakes.[6][5][8]
In late August, Gatorama hosts an annual Gator Hatchling Festival where visitors can hold an alligator egg while it hatches.[3][6][5]
Gatorama also sells exotic meat at the park and on their website.[14][15]