August/September 2004
Brought to you by your friends at Alligator Bayou

We're going to be a monthly feature on the Scott Roger's show, which is moving to NBC.

GATOR'S MATING SEASON RESULTS IN EGGS, EGGS AND MORE EGGS We are VERY excited to announce that we have two confirmed nests and have two suspected nests. We'll keep you posted on the development and changes. More information below about the nesting habits of the alligator.

Courtship of the gators started in April and ended with the mating season in May.

After mating, the female alligator moves into the marshy areas and shoreline where she will begin to construct a nest;. Using her back feet, the female will scratch together a mound of sticks, mud and vegetation. Into this mound she will deposit her eggs, and it is the breakdown of the nesting material that helps keep the eggs warm. Female alligators begin to lay their eggs in late June and early July. Alligators tend to lay about 40-45 eggs on the average, however, the rate of fertility varies with the age of the female.

The incubation period of the eggs is 65 days. During this time the female alligator guards her nest against intruders. Raccoons for example, are notorious nest raiders, and have been known to completely destroy a nest.

Now let's keep our fingers crossed because the next phase is HATCHING! We'll keep you posted.

NEW GATOR PIT ALMOST COMPLETE Our 2 acre eco-habitat which presently contains two separate areas is expanding to include an additional 3.5 acres, 4 additional ponds and MORE GATORS. We are adding 27 or so gators and considering the option of adding wild deer (not for food) to the exhibit. With a tentative opening scheduled for early October, this new addition is surely something you don't want to miss.

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