Colorado Gators Reptile Park facts for kids
Alligators at the Colorado Gators Reptile Park
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| Date opened | 1990 |
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| Location | Mosca, Colorado |
| Land area | 80 acres (32 ha) |
| Coordinates | 37°42′21″N 105°52′14″W / 37.705893°N 105.870556°W |
| Website | http://www.gatorfarm.com/ |
The Colorado Gators Reptile Park is a special place in Mosca, Colorado, United States. It opened to visitors in 1990. This park is about 17 miles (27 km) north of Alamosa, Colorado.
It started as a fish farm in 1977. Now, it's home to many rescued reptiles. It also has a bird sanctuary and a special biodome. The park uses warm water from a natural underground spring. This warm water creates ponds and wetlands. These areas are perfect for alligators and many types of water birds. Visitors can see alligators, reptiles, and birds in a natural setting. You can also go fishing, boating, or have a picnic. More than 125 kinds of birds have been seen at the farm!
How the Park Started
In 1977, Erwin and Lynne Young bought 80 acres of land. They wanted to start a farm to raise fish like tilapia and African perch. The farm has a natural hot spring, called a geothermal well. This well keeps the water warm for the fish.
In 1987, they bought 100 baby alligators. These alligators helped eat the leftover fish parts. As the alligators grew, local people wanted to see them. So, in 1990, the farm opened its doors to the public.
Over the years, the park also became a home for many reptiles. These are often pets that people could no longer care for. Sometimes these pets were even dangerous. One main goal of the park is to teach people. They want to show the challenges of keeping reptiles as pets.
Fun Events at the Park
Every year, the park holds a fun event called "Gatorfest." It happens on the first weekend in August. This event is known as the world's first Gator Rodeo and Roundup. It includes exciting activities like roping, riding, and barrel racing with the alligators!
Learning About Reptiles
The Colorado Gators Reptile Park has great education programs. These programs teach people about reptiles. You can learn how they live, what they eat, and their role in nature. They also teach which reptiles make good pets. And, they explain which ones might get too big to handle.
The programs often include live animals. You might see turtles, tortoises, alligators, snakes, and lizards. Sometimes, the audience even gets to touch some of the animals!
