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" Everglades Alligator Farm
40351
SW 192nd Avenue
Florida City Florida 33034
305-247-2628
Back
to Florida Attractions | 
