It’s no secret Wild Florida knows a thing or two about alligators. To share this knowledge and passion with visitors, Wild Florida will host their 2nd Annual Gator Week May 7-12 and offer free admission for everyone to its Gator and Wildlife Park throughout the week.
To many, alligators are simply fierce carnivores on the hunt, but that’s not the case. Like many misunderstood creatures, myths develop based on a lack of knowledge. It is because of this that Wild Florida decided to dedicate an entire week to educating and debunking many common myths surrounding these reptiles through live demonstrations and interactive experiences. BUY TICKETS
Ranier Munns, co-owner and co-founder of Wild Florida, says, “Alligators are the stars of the show out here at Wild Florida, and it is our job, as experts, to educate our guests on these fascinating reptiles. We dedicate much of what we do to gators all year long, so why not celebrate these animals with a week dedicated to them?”
Wild Florida’s mission has always been to provide an unforgettable Everglades experience that promotes a connection with animals while inspiring education and conservation.
GATOR WEEK SCHEDULE:
May 7: Alligators and crocodiles rank in the top three for having the strongest jaws in the animal kingdom. During day one of Gator Week, this power will be displayed during a live demonstration as alligators and crocodiles smash fruits and vegetables with their jaws.
May 8: Wild Florida’s popular Gator Jumpathon returns! At 11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Wild Florida’s second annual Gator Jumpathon takes place inside their Gator Pond where you can witness the true power of these animals and see just how high they can jump to catch their prey. In between the Gator Jumpathon, there will also be bounce houses available for kids to enjoy throughout the day.
May 9: Just like cats and dogs, alligators make very distinct sounds that everyonecan master. At 12:00 p.m. inside Wild Florida’s Exotic Animal Pavilion, Wild Florida will host their first ever Gator Call Competition. Later on, they’ll also host their first ever Gator Race where the winning gator will determine what charity will receive all the money placed during the race.
May 10:During day four of Gator Week, at Wild Florida’s Gator Feeding Show Pavilion, the Wild Florida team will measure the bite force of a snapping turtle, freshwater crocodile, alligator, and caiman.
May 11:Just like chicken, you can cook up a ton of dishes using alligator meat. During Wild Florida’s first ever Taste of Gator Cook-off, Chomp House Grill’s chef, Chef Ramon, will cook up a variety of gator dishes alongside another local chef and have local food bloggers judge the flavor of each dish. That evening they will host a Wild Paint Night Out where Wild Florida’s albino alligators, Snowflake and Blizzard, will be the stars of the show. Guests will get to paint these impressive animals, see them up close, and enjoy a delicious buffet dinner.
May 12:Capping off another year of Gator Week, Wild Florida will stay open past 6 p.m. to hold a night edition of their Gator Feeding Show, dispelling the rumor that alligators will only jump during the day. Wild Florida will also be offering discounted night airboat tours to give guests a unique experience of seeing how wild the swamp is in the moonlight.
Be sure to follow Wild Florida on social media for updates, fun polls, educational tidbits, myth busting stories and giveaways throughout the week. Also, check outwww.GatorWeek.comfor a full schedule of activities.
Learn even more by getting out on the water and gliding across the headwaters ofthe Florida Everglades on an airboat, as your US Coast Guard licensed captain points out various wildlife and vegetation in this scenic ecosystem.