St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park facts for kids
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| Date opened | May 20, 1893 |
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| Location | St. Augustine, Florida, United States |
| Land area | more than 7 acres (28,000 m2) |
| Memberships | AZA |
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St. Augustine Alligator Farm Historic District
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | St. Johns County, Florida |
| Built | 1937 |
| NRHP reference No. | 92001232 |
| Added to NRHP | September 10, 1992 |
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is a super cool place in Florida that's been open for a really long time – since May 20, 1893! It's famous for having every type of crocodilian (that's alligators, crocodiles, and their relatives!) in the world. But it's not just about them! You can also see lots of other reptiles, mammals, and birds. The park also has fun exhibits, amazing animal shows, and educational talks.
Contents
A Look Back: The Park's History
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm started way back in 1893. It began as a small place on St. Augustine Beach. At first, it was just a little stop at the end of a railway line. The alligators were brought in to make people want to buy souvenirs and visit a museum there. But soon, the alligators became the main reason people came!
How the Park Grew Over Time
As more and more people wanted to see the alligators, the park became very popular. It moved to its current spot in the early 1920s. In the 1930s, new owners took over. After a big fire, they rebuilt and made the park even bigger and better.
In 1993, for its 100th birthday, the park did something amazing. It became the first place anywhere in the world to show every single species of crocodilian!
Amazing Animals You Can See
As of 2012, this park was the only place where you could see every kind of alligator, crocodile, caiman, and gharial. Over the years, the zoo has added even more animals. You can now find cool monkeys, unique birds, and other reptiles.
The bird collection is really special! It includes birds you don't often see at other zoos. Look for huge hornbills, colorful cassowarys, giant marabous, and even Cape griffon vultures. In 2008, the zoo opened a new home for Komodo dragons. This area also shows off lizards and snakes that live where saltwater crocodiles are found.
A Special Historic Place
On September 10, 1992, the Alligator Farm was named a U.S. Historic District. This means it's a special place with important history. It's known as the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Historic District.
The Rookery: A Bird Paradise
In the back part of the park, there's a huge bird rookery. This is a natural area where local wild birds can fly freely. You can see beautiful birds like egrets, herons, tall wood storks, and pink roseate spoonbills. They come here to build their nests and raise their baby birds. It's a great place to watch birds in their natural habitat!
Park Connections and Memberships
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm is part of some important groups. It is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). This means it meets high standards for animal care and conservation. It's also part of the Florida Attraction Association.
Images for kids
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A view of the historic district from FL-A1A in 2019
