GATORLAND

Our first Orlando adventure trip was on Monday when we visited Gatorland; About a 20 minute drive from here.  It is a privately owned park that houses over 2,000 alligators and crocodiles, has aviaries, a petting zoo, an alligator breeding marsh and ziplines.  We spent about 3.5 hours at the park walking around and seeing the 3 shows that were offered there.

THIS ONE SURVIVED A FEW BATTLES

A FREE RIDE

The first show was alligator jumping but the weather was cool and they didn’t want to do much.

The second show was up close encounters with mystery critters in locked boxes that involved audience participation.  One woman had tarantulas placed on her hands and a group of 3 people held up a huge boa constrictor.  Glad we didn’t volunteer for any of that.

The third show was alligator wrestling where the guy pulled an alligator out of the water onto a sandy area, got on its back and held its mouth shut.  He then pried the jaws open so we could have a good look at the 82 sharp teeth.  Next, he propped the top of the alligator’s mouth under his chin and let its lower jaw open.  Brave guy.  Finally, he flipped it over on its back and it just lay there completely immobile.  He tickled its belly and it flipped over to its feet and he pinned it down before putting it back in the water.  Fun to watch.

THESE ARE CROCODILES

A BRAVE BIRD