RANGE | Alligators are native to the southeastern coastal wetlands of the United States, ranging from some areas in Eastern Texas to parts of North Carolina and extending to southern Florida where they congregate in the Everglades. These reptiles are usually found in slow-moving freshwater rivers but can also inhabit swamps, marshes, and lakes but will occasionally also seek out water sources in urban areas and pools in backyards.

FUN FACTS | These large reptiles are apex predators but are also indiscriminate feeders, hunting or scavenging on any available prey- large or small- depending on the size of the alligator, the season and locality. They often float in the water, resembling logs or debris floating on the surface, which makes it possible for them to approach other animals without causing alarm until it is too late to escape. When hunting large prey, they will often drag them into water and begin spinning which disorients the prey and eventually they drown. Alligators were hunted to near extinction before it was discovered that they are keystone species, creating water holes to survive during the warmest seasons.Those alligator holes fill with water which provides water for all other animals, enabling their survival during these dry seasons as well. Alligators were one of the first animals to be placed on the Endangered Species List and, after one of the most successful conservation efforts in the US, was one of the first animals to be removed from the list as well when they were de-listed in the 1980s.

Tally, short for Tallahassee, was one of 14 little alligators on a travelling exhibit at local zoo, also featuring a white (leaucistic) alligator. Our other two alligators were growing too large for school programs, so we spoke with the zoo, who spoke with the alligator farm, who said that because we were permitted, we could keep as many as we wanted! We just adopted one, Tally, who was the second-smallest in the pool.

Tally loves the sun. She enjoys her pool as well, but is more often seen lying on a plastic slide, warmed by the sun, getting all toasty herself. Even on cold winter days, she will venture out of her heated den to get some time in the sun. Enrichment activities can be challenging, since alligators eat anything, even enrichment toys! He does enjoy pushing pumpkins or BoomerBalls around in the water. In fact, everything, from toys to leftover food, end up in the water!

She loves toys that float, so XL balls and bobbins that she cannot bite or destroy are great choices for him.