Gatorland Welcomes First Set of Nile Crocodile Hatchlings in Two Years.

Felicidades Gatorland por estos nuevos miembros de la familia.

BOUNCING BABIES WITH BITE! 

 Gatorland welcomes first set of Nile crocodile hatchlings in two years

GATORLAND® may be known as the Alligator Capital of the World, but today park officials welcomed 19 Nile crocodile hatchlings, the first set of hatchlings born at the park in more than two years.

“All appear to be extremely healthy and they will certainly enhance and increase the Nile crocodile population we currently have in the park which is ten,” said Gatorland’s Park Director Mike Hileman.

The incubation period of Nile crocodile eggs lasts approximately 90 days. Gatorland officials keep the temperature of the incubator at precisely 90 degrees to ensure an equal division of sexes.

“Any hotter and the hatchlings would be born primarily male; any cooler and we would end up with mostly female hatchlings,” Hileman added.

Gatorland currently has a population of 32 crocodiles ranging from Caimans to Cubans, Niles and American and African Dwarf crocodiles. Hunted close to extinction in the 1940s through 1960s, local and international protections have helped Nile crocodiles rebound in most areas. Crocodiles have roamed the earth since the age of dinosaurs and have changed little in the past several million years.

In approximately one to two months, Gatorland’s Nile babies will be transferred to several small aquariums throughout the park for the public’s viewing pleasure. In captivity, adult Niles can grow up to 20-feet in length, weigh up to 1,000 pounds and can live up to 80 years.

For more information on Gatorland, please visit www.gatorland.com.

About GATORLAND

Gatorland is a 110-acre theme park and wildlife preserve, combining “Old Florida” charm with exciting new exhibits and entertainment. The park opened as a roadside attraction in 1949. Today, it provides affordably-priced family fun featuring thousands of alligators, crocodiles, a free flight aviary, breeding marsh with observation tower, petting zoo, nature walk, educational wildlife programs, Gatorland award-winning gift shop, Florida’s best train ride, restaurant, Gator Gully Splash Park and one-of-a-kind shows including the Gator Wrestlin’ Show, Gator Jumparoo, and the ‘Up-Close Encounter’ shows. And don’t miss the world’s largest collection of giant white alligators in the new White Gator Swamp and the all new Screamin’ Gator Zip Line featuring over 1,200 feet of high flying thrills, five intense zip lines and a massive 150-foot suspension bridge. For more information about “Orlando’s only theme park with BITE and ATTITUDE,” visit us online at www.gatorland.com or call 800-393-JAWS.  Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gatorland. Follow us on Twitter @gatorland