Alligators! Oh, My!

Alligators have been around for over 200 million years.  Yep, that’s right!  Cousin to the dinosaur. 

Their average length is 13 feet and their average weight is 800 pounds.  (That’s a big hunk of meat!)  BUT they can get larger.   Some have been known to be over 17 feet in length.

Their average lifespan is 50 years, but again some, in captivity, have lived into their 70’s.

They are capable of short bursts of speed when necessary, as when grabbing their “food”.  They have bone crushing jaws, with powerful muscles that snap the jaws shut.  They usually perform a death roll, to rip off chunks of meat or drown their prey.  Sometimes they “store” their food in their lairs allowing it to rot and be eaten at a later time.

There are over a million alligators in the state of Florida…maybe I should move?!

Montgomery Zoo

We took a day trip today to the Montgomery Zoo.  We had never been there so we were curious about it.  All I can say is, it was worth the trip.  Luscious greenery, waterfalls, shaded paths, a natural history museum and, of course, the wildlife.

Here are a few pics.  Enjoy.

Fairhope

We visited the quaint waterside town of Fairhope today.  It was filled with many art galleries and shops.  The town itself was founded in 1894 by 28 people with dreams of creating a utopian village.  Today it is a major tourist attraction.

We got a few pictures, but decided not to stay long as a major storm with tornado warnings was rolling in.

Down by the bay: