Say Hello to Our New Residents!

There’s always something exciting happening at Alligator Attraction & Wildlife Learning Center and this summer is no different. The center is constantly getting new animals and some of its most recent acquisitions and new projects on the horizon offer even more reasons to visit if you haven’t been there in a while. Skunks, a short-tailed possum and a Duprasi are just a few of the new residents you can expect to meet.

Two 12-week-old baby skunks, Flower, a chocolate skunk and Roma, a lavender variation, were recently acquired by the center from the Florida Wildlife Commission, which often places animals with different rescue groups and attractions if they can’t be released into the wild. Both of these species have unique colorings, as Flower is brown and white and Roma is light gray and white. In nature, mothers reject these babes and force them out of their burrows because they are not likely to survive. It’s the typical black and white coloring of a skunk that warns predators to stay away. Related to ferrets and weasels, skunks can have their scent glands removed so they can be handled more easily. Both of these beauties are enjoying their residence at Alligator Attraction now.

We’re also home to five different species of poison dart frogs for a total of nine at the Alligator Attraction. These brightly colored amphibians come in shades of bright blue and black, orange and black, yellow and black and other striking combinations. Although the South American natives are known to be toxic, they are only poisonous when they eat a specific species of ant that’s found just in that part of the world. Here at Animal Attraction, they’re kept in all-natural enclosures with native plants and fed insects. The small frogs will only reach the size of a large grape. Spotting them in their habitat is a fun game for the kids who come to visit us!

You’ll also want to meet Maya, a short-tailed opossum, which is one of the smallest of this species. Native to the Brazilian rainforest, Maya was one of the many rescues that found their way to the center. Unlike other marsupials, these critters do not have a pouch. They eat insects as well as small rodents and are known to be inquisitive. Animals of this breed can be tamed if handled regularly at an early age. Maya is still a little skittish around people but she is currently on display in her natural habitat for visitors to view.

Another great addition to Animal Attraction is Fat Albert, a Duprasi, also known as a fat tailed gerbil. Relatives of gerbils and hamsters, these creatures hail from the deserts of Egypt and reach a maximum length of about three to four inches, with their tails growing to approximately two inches. This is an essential accessory to their survival as they are able to store food and water in their tails. Don’t let the appearance of these cute critters fool you, they have been known to defend themselves against predators such as scorpions, spiders and snakes. On display in his all-natural enclosure, Fat Albert likes to take sand baths and sleep

upside down on his back with his legs spread eagle. If you’re never seen a Duprasi in person, you’ll definitely get a kick out of him!

The Alligator Attraction is also in the process of installing a touch tank as well as building additional habitats for new animal family members.

So, whether you like reptiles and amphibians or prefer to lay eyes on marsupials and mammals, Alligator Attraction -Wildlife Center always has something new to pique your interest. We hope you’ll consider bringing your kids in for a visit soon, our Center provides educational enrichment and learning that will enhance their studies now that everyone’s going back to school!