The St. Augustine Alligator Farm at 133: 24 Crocodilian Species, 7 Acres and a Famous Bird Rookery

St. Augustine, Fla. - The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park turns 133 in 2026, with 24 species of crocodilians on more than 7 acres and a bird rookery that draws wild egrets, herons, wood storks and roseate spoonbills. In 1993, on its 100th birthday, it became the first place in the world to display every species of crocodilian.

It opened May 20, 1893, as a small railway attraction on St. Augustine Beach. Since then it has moved, changed hands, come back from a devastating fire and grown into an accredited zoo.

The Alligator Farm by the numbers

From beach sideshow to zoo

The Alligator Farm started small: a minor attraction at the end of a railway line on St. Augustine Beach that opened May 20, 1893. The alligators were added to help sell more souvenirs, and they ended up becoming the whole show.

In the early 1920s, it moved to the spot it occupies today. In the 1930s, it changed owners. It was also rebuilt after a devastating fire.

Every crocodilian, all in one place

The park is home to 24 species of crocodilians, the group of reptiles that includes alligators and crocodiles.

Its biggest claim to fame came in 1993. That year, as it marked 100 years, the Alligator Farm became the first place in the world to display every species of crocodilian.

It's not only crocodilians, though. The park also houses other reptiles, mammals and birds.

One resident with a following is Chance the Snapper, an American alligator.

Komodo dragons since 2008

In 2008, the park opened a Komodo dragon exhibit that also features Southeast Asian lizards and snakes. It gave visitors a reason to look past the alligators, and it's been part of the park for 18 years now (my math).

The rookery: wild birds, front-row seats

Some of the park's most popular residents aren't on the animal list at all.

A large bird rookery in the back section of the park draws free-roaming wading birds:

• Egrets
• Herons
• Wood storks
• Roseate spoonbills

These birds come and go on their own. For bird lovers and photographers, the back of the park is the place to linger.

A historic district inside the park

On Sept. 10, 1992, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places (reference No. 92001232).

The district is much smaller than the park. It covers less than 1 acre and includes one building and one structure. The rest of the 7-plus acres is not part of the listing.

The listing came one year before the park's 100th birthday and its every-species milestone, a big two-year run for a then-century-old attraction.

One of Florida's oldest

The Alligator Farm is counted among Florida's oldest continuously running attractions. It was drawing visitors more than two decades before it moved to its current home in the early 1920s, and it has kept going through an ownership change, a devastating fire and a rebuild.

For perspective, it opened 133 years ago (1893 to 2026). It celebrated its centennial in 1993 with a world first, and its Komodo dragon exhibit is already 18 years old.

Accredited

The Alligator Farm is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Florida Attractions Association.

Pick your kind of visit

Bird lovers should save time for the back section, where the rookery is.

Quick Q&A

How old is the Alligator Farm? It opened May 20, 1893, so it turns 133 in 2026.

Is it just alligators? No. It has 24 crocodilian species plus other reptiles, mammals and birds, and a Komodo dragon exhibit.

What was the 1993 milestone? It became the first place in the world to display every species of crocodilian.

Where do I see the wild birds? At the large rookery in the back section.

Is the whole park historic? No. The National Register historic district covers less than 1 acre, with one building and one structure.

Before you go

Check the park's website for current hours, tickets and special programs before you visit.

How we did this

This numbers guide is based on Wikipedia's "St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park" entry, reviewed Oct. 23, 2026. The park's age and years since 2008 are our math. Prices, hours and animal sizes were not verified and are not included.