The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is home to hundreds of species of alligators and crocodiles, snakes and lizards, birds and mammals. One might think they’re a veritable Noah’s Ark of the scaly variety. But recently they’ve found that their ark is far from full and a new hatch must be welcomed.
The Alligator Farm announces a rare occurrence in North America: the hatching of four freshwater Johnston’s
“These are Johnston’s crocodiles, what Australians refer to as ‘freshies,’ said Jim Darlington, Reptile Curator at The Alligator Farm. “It’s a first for us, very exciting. And we might have one or two more soon. We try not to count our crocs before they hatch. I don’t want to jinx it, but we’re hopeful.”
The new hatchlings continue a trend of new arrivals that began last summer with the arrival of the first Indian gharial to be hatched outside of India or Nepal. The gharial’s birthday celebration was soon followed by the arrival of six baby Galapagos tortoises, who began hatching the same day as the gharial. Their birth marked the first time this endangered species was bred at the Alligator Farm since the arrival of Galapagos tortoises at the park in 1947.
“The hatching of the freshies is another terrific achievement in terms of animal conservation, which is a vital part of our mission” said John Brueggen, Zoo Director. “I’m proud of our team of reptile keepers who helped make this happen, and I’m looking forward to inviting visitors to the zoo to see the new baby freshies.”
For more information, visit the Alligator Farm online at www.alligatorfarm.com.
