St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park

{{Infobox zoo

|zoo_name = St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park

|logo =

|logo_width =

|logo_caption =

|image = St Aug Alligator Farm sign02.jpg

|image_width = 220px

|image_caption =

|date_opened = May 20, 1893

|date_opening =

|date_closed =

|location = St. Augustine, Florida, United States

|area = more than {{convert|7|acre|m2|abbr=on}}

|coordinates =

|num_animals =

|num_species =

|largest_tank_vol =

|total_tank_vol =

|annual_visitors =

|members = AZA

|exhibits =

|website = {{URL|http://www.alligatorfarm.com}}

{{Infobox NRHP

| name = St. Augustine Alligator Farm Historic District

| embed = yes

| nrhp_type = hd

| nocat = yes

| image =

| caption =

| location = St. Johns County, Florida

| coordinates = {{coord|29|52|53|N|81|17|18|W|display=inline,title}}

| locmapin = Florida#USA

| area =

| built = 1937

| architect =

| architecture =

| added = September 10, 1992

| refnum = 92001232

| visitation_num =

| visitation_year =

}}

The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is one of Florida's oldest continuously running attractions, having opened on May 20, 1893.[http://www.oldcity.com/Sites/HostHeaders/www.discoverstaugustine.com/virtual1/index.html Virtual Views] at [http://www.oldcity.com OldCity.com] It has 24 species of crocodilians, and also a variety of other reptiles, mammals and birds, as well as exhibits, animal performances and educational demonstrations.

History

The park began in 1893 on St. Augustine Beach as a minor attraction at the end of a railway running through neighboring Anastasia Island. The alligators were added at first to get visitors to buy souvenirs and see the museum there. Soon, the reptiles themselves became the main point of interest.

Growing in popularity, the park moved to its current location in the early 1920s. The park changed owners in the 1930s, and, after a devastating fire, they started reconstruction and expansion of the facilities. In 1993, for their 100-year anniversary, the park became the first place in the world to display every species of crocodilian.

File:St. Augustine Alligator Farm Historic District - St. Augustine.jpg

In 2008, the zoo opened a new Komodo dragon facility that also exhibits lizards and snakes found within Southeast Asia.

=National historic status=

On September 10, 1992, the Alligator Farm was designated a U.S. Historic District. As such, it was referred to as the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Historic District. According to the National Register of Historic Places, it covers less than {{convert|1|acre|m2|adj=off}}, and contains one building and one structure.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/fl/St.+Johns/districts.html|title=National Register of Historical Places - Florida (FL), St. Johns County|date=2007-03-15|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service}}

Collection

As of 2012, this was the only place where one can see every species of alligator, crocodile, caiman and gharial. Over the years, the zoo has expanded to include mammals, birds, and other reptiles.{{cite web |title=FULL SPECIES LIST - St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park |url=https://www.alligatorfarm.com/full-species-list/ }}

The farm is home to Chance the Snapper.

=[[Crocodilians]]=

=Other [[reptiles]]=

=[[Birds]]=

=[[Mammals]]=

Rookery

The back section of the park contains a large bird rookery, where free-roaming local bird species such as egrets, herons, wood storks and roseate spoonbills nest and rear their young.

Affiliations

The park is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Florida Attraction Association.{{cite web|url=http://www.floridaattractions.org|title=Florida Attractions Association|work=floridaattractions.org|publisher=Florida Attractions Association|accessdate=22 February 2010}}