Its summer-time action at the Australian Reptile Park as the female American alligators have recently laid eggs. 

Experienced keepers will be “raiding” the nest this Friday 13 January at 10.30am. Once the eggs are harvested, some will be selected for incubation.

Gator-raiding requires five very brave Reptile Keepers. Four keepers will restrain the female alligator while the other keeper raids the nest, removing the eggs. The mother is in a high maternal state and aggressively guards her eggs, so extreme care must be taken.

Alligator mothers are excellent protectors and defend their young extremely well. American alligators have one of the strongest jaw pressures of any animal and one bite can be limb or even life-threatening. 

The Australian Reptile Park is the only zoo in Australia that breeds American alligators supplying zoos  internationally and within Australia.

The Australian Reptile Park houses the largest collection of American alligators in Australia, with around 40 alligators including ten males, four of which are in excess of four meters in length.

For further information please visit www.reptilepark.com.au