Well my birthday was about a month ago and whenever I get to have a “Jenn Day”, meaning I get to pick what we do that day from top to bottom it always involves my two favorite things – good food, and animals. We started the day by having lunch at Mango Mangos which is a delicious place to get quick, flavorful and often healthy choices. Our next destination was the Alligator farm.

We pass the Alligator farm here in Saint Augustine at least twice a week, on the way to the beach or the farmers market and I have always wondered what was behind those tall white walls. I have seen signs advertising the farm all over town as well, and when a few months ago I saw that they had now added a Komodo Dragon to their collection of reptiles, I was sold. I love Komodo Dragons, not in the sense that I want to kiss them,

No, thanks, really.

But I find them to be one of the world’s most fascinating creatures. I wouldn’t want to come across one in the wild, and at the same time I feel bad to see one behind glass, so far away from the Indonesian islands they come from. But I also feel a certain sense of awe to be able to look at one, so close up, close enough to see the texture of its scaly skin.

Well there really was no shortage of scaly creatures at the Alligator Farm. They start you off slow, by having a live show near the entrance. We watched one about exotic birds.

At the end, a rainbow python was brought out, and we could go up and touch it. So of course, it being my birthday and all, I didn’t want to miss anything (doesn’t my mom look thrilled in the background?).

Then you move on to turtles – big, snarky, crabby turtles, but hey, they get angry in slow motion too, so nothing to worry about there.

There are also lots of different varieties of birds at the farm too, and of course, what the place in named after – Alligators. Now when I say there are a TON of alligators there, I mean there really are a TON.

And when you take into account how short the guard rails are along the bridge that spans hundreds of feet water teaming with gators, it is a little un-nerving. I mean, that isn’t even really waist high….

Just because you are at an attraction, doesn’t mean you are safe – and don’t listen to the gators, they lie. Also beware if you just had an argument with your significant other and all of a sudden they want to talk it over at the Alligator Farm, you know to do it in a “public place”… just one push, and well…you know the rest.

Perhaps my favorite part about the Alligator Farm (like most other attraction I have been to) is the section for children. Maybe it is the kid in me, but I love it! So what if I am into my 30’s, I still feel like a little girl sometimes, and animals certainly bring that out in me even more!

Like here, we are enjoying our new turtle friend – taking rides and feeling like kids again! It is good to be a goofy adult.

And if you want to get up close and personal with an alligator that can’t hurt you, there is one that you can check out. He’s pretty friendly…

Just don’t make him mad!