Region:
South Florida
Everglades Alligator Farm
Homestead, FL
Contact Information:
40351 S.W. 192 Ave.
Florida City, FL 33034 Local
Phone: 305-247-2628
Fax: 305-248-9711
E-mail: info@everglades.com
Directions:
Last exit on FL Turnpike. West on Palm
Dr., left on 192nd Ave., straight 4 miles.
Hours of Operation:
9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Description and Activities:
Our privately owned attraction is a real
working alligator farm. Started in 1982 by
Mr. John Hudson, the farm originally began
as an airboat ride attraction.
In 1985 the State of Florida permitted commercial
farming of alligators and Mr. Hudson opened
the first such farm in Dade County. In the
60's, the American alligator had almost become
extinct and was placed on the endangered species
list by the Federal Government. Commercial
farming was correctly seen as a way to insure
the preservation of this reptile, which traces
its existence back to the time of the dinosaurs.
Our farm is located
at the edge of the Everglades, however, it
is not a part of the Everglades National Park.
We have endeavored to keep a rustic
atmosphere that is representative of the first
settlers to the area, and at the same time
live in harmony with the Everglades' pristine
environment.
Just outside the Everglades
National Park is one of South Florida's best
kept local secrets, Everglades Alligator Farm.
One of Homestead's busiest attractions, Everglades
Alligator Farm draws tourist and camera crews
from all over the world. This privately owned
attraction is a real working alligator farm.
According to owners, Charles and Deborah Thibos,
it was started in 1982 by Mr. John Hudson,
who began the farm as an airboat ride attraction.
In 1985 the State of Florida permitted commercial
farming of alligators and Mr. Hudson opened
the first such farm in Dade County.
The Everglades Alligator
Farm is currently home to about 3,000 alligators
of all sizes. The smaller alligators are kept
in growout pens and the larger alligators are
in natural settings called breeding ponds. It
takes about 6 years for an alligator to start
breeding. The female alligator will have only
one clutch of eggs a year, depending on the mother's
age and fertility the clutch will contain up to
45 eggs. A trip to the alligator farm includes
an exciting airboat tour into the surrounding
Everglades and a walk around the farm to see the
alligators, crocodiles, caimans, and wildlife.
There is also a great display of local snakes
along with some of the more exotic species of
snakes from around the world. Informative wildlife
shows are presented hourly: 10:00am /1:00pm/4:00pm
Snake Show;
11:00am/2:00pm/5:00pm Alligator Show: 12:00pm
Alligator Feeding; and at 3:00pm a Weird Animal
Show. During the shows visitors get a chance to
hold baby alligators and have their picture taken
with snakes. The airboat tours allow visitors
to experience the river of grass up close. It
is not uncommon on the tours to see alligators,
several species of birds, lots of fish and huge
soft shell turtles. Each trip into the Everglades
is different, of course, because it 's all natural.
The farm owners have tried to keep a rustic natural
atmosphere, one that is not the "stereotypical
tourist stop"
Admission Price:
Adults ..... $17.00
Children (4 to 10) .... $10.00
Children Under 4 .... FREE
These prices are for everything including the
airboat ride.
If you don't wish to take
the airboat tour, prices for adults are $9.00
and $5.00 for children. Group rates for 15 or
more are available.
Payment Options:
All Major Credit Cards, American Express, Discover,
MasterCard, Travelers Checks, Visa
Website:
everglades.com
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