Gatorland, the “Alligator Capital of the World,” has officially named their extremely rare leucistic baby alligator, Mystic, and her brother, Mayhem. The names were chosen from hundreds of ideas submitted via Gatorland’s social media channels. The park now has the largest collection of rare leucistic alligators in the world.
“We have received such an overwhelming response when these babies were born and again when we asked the public to help name them,” exclaimed Mark McHugh, President and CEO of Gatorland. “We just love Mystic and Mayhem and know the public will, too. We can’t wait to introduce them to all our guests in the Spring when they will be in a special exhibit area in our White Gator Swamp.”
Born to parents Jeyan and Ashley, Mystic and Mayhem now weigh 96 grams and are currently 49 cm long. Gatorland’s veterinarian continues to give them an A+ on their health check-ups. They eat bite-size pieces of raw chicken and tiny Croc Chow pellets made to supplement nutrition.
Leucistic alligators are the rarest genetic variation in the American alligator. They differ from albino alligators, which have pink eyes and a complete loss of pigment. Leucism in alligators causes white coloration, but they often have patches or splotches of normal coloration on their skin. Without the darker skin pigmentation, they can’t have direct sunlight for long periods of time because they sunburn easily. Leucistic alligators also have brilliant blue eyes compared to the pink eyes of an albino alligator.
Gatorland combines Old Florida charm with exciting experiences, exhibits, and entertainment. Originally opened as a roadside attraction in 1949, the park will be celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2024. Today the iconic park provides affordably priced family fun featuring thousands of alligators and crocodiles, a breeding marsh with an observation tower, a popular capybara encounter, a free-flight aviary, a nature walk, a petting zoo, educational wildlife programs, an award-winning gift shop, Florida’s best train ride, a Gator Gully Splash Park, on-site restaurant, and one-of-a-kind shows including Gator Jumparoo, Alligators-Legends of the Swamp, and Up-close Encounters. Popular adventure experiences inside the park include the Screamin’ Gator Zipline, Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure, and the brand-new Croc Rock Three-In-One Adventure.
The 110-acre award-winning theme park has been voted by Orlando Weekly readers the Best Attraction That’s Not a Theme Park every year for the past 8 years since 2016, Best Wildlife Preserve 2023 by Orlando Style Magazine, and Best Hidden Gem 2023 by Watermark Magazine. In addition, the Screamin’ Gator Zipline experience has been voted “Best Zipline in the USA” by AOL Travel and “Best Zipline or Ropes Course in Orlando” by Orlando Weekly readers every year since 2019.
For more Gatorland info., visit us online at www.gatorland.com or call 800-393-JAWS