Croc Encounters is home to many rescued reptiles including snakes, turtles, tortoises,
lizards and of course, crocodilians. These animals came to us from a variety of situations
from all over the country. They originate from zoos, shelters, other rescues and shelters
and from pet owners. Now that they are at Croc Encounters, they will remain permanent
residents. Our animals are not taken from the wild and they cannot be returned to the
wild. Most are exotics and those that are not have been habituated to humans and
would be a nuisance if released. Our goal is to provide these animals with a good home
while using them to educate the public about their species and the problems facing their
conservation.
There are four major groups of reptiles and while Croc Encounters are our focus, we
represent all four groups. Follow the links below to learn more about these animals and
the individual rescue stories of some Croc Encounters residents.
CROCODILIANS
Crocodiles and alligators are in the order Crocodylia. Inhabiting tropical and sub-tropical
regions thought the world are 23 species of crocodilian, broken down into 3 families,
Alligatoridae (Alligators and Caiman), Crocodylidae (Crocodiles), and Gavialidae
(Gharial).
Crocodiles are a pinnacle predator thriving in a niche at the water's edge. Crocodilians
have remained relatively unchanged for over 200 million years surviving two mass
extinctions. Crocodilians are opportunistic predators and will consume a variety of
carnivorous foods such as birds, turtles, small mammals, carrion, snakes, fish and even
smaller crocodilians.
Buc - American Crocodile
Amos - American Alligator
Captain Jack - Spectacled Caiman
Jojo - American Alligator
Choppers - Broad-snouted Caiman
Seminole- Crocodylus acutus
SNAKES
Snakes are in the order Squamata. There are about 3,000 species of snakes ranging is
size from the 10 cm long thread snake to reticulated pythons over 7 meters long. Their
body form is excellently adapted for life on land or in water. Even though they lack
appendages many snakes are capable climbers, swimmers and/or burrowers. While a
small percentage of snakes possess venom toxic to humans, most are harmless. All
snakes are carnivorous and have excellent senses adapted to capturing their prey.
Pinky - Red-tailed Boa
Retic - Reticulated Python
LIZARDS
Lizards are in the order Squamata. They differ from snakes in that they have four limbs,
eyelids and external ear openings. There are exceptions to this. Some lizards have no
limbs and some have no eyelids. There is a huge variety in the sizes and adaptations in
lizards. Carribbean geckos can be as small as a few centimeters, while Komodo Dragons
can reach sizes close to three meters!
Louie - Rhino Iguana
Jellybean - Red Tegu
TURTLES AND TORTOISES
Turtles and toritoises are some of the most ancient types of reptiles – the earliest
known dating from 215 million years ago. Their appearance is also unique among their
reptilian cousins. Turtles are in the order Testudines with about 300 species alive today.
Probably the most remarkable feature of this group is the special bony or cartilaginous
shell developed from their ribs. Turtles and toritoises are some of the longest lived
animals on this planet.
Oreo - Diamondback Terrapin
Dusty - African Sulcata Tortoise
Gator Snapper - Alligator Snapping Turtle
lizards and of course, crocodilians. These animals came to us from a variety of situations
from all over the country. They originate from zoos, shelters, other rescues and shelters
and from pet owners. Now that they are at Croc Encounters, they will remain permanent
residents. Our animals are not taken from the wild and they cannot be returned to the
wild. Most are exotics and those that are not have been habituated to humans and
would be a nuisance if released. Our goal is to provide these animals with a good home
while using them to educate the public about their species and the problems facing their
conservation.
There are four major groups of reptiles and while Croc Encounters are our focus, we
represent all four groups. Follow the links below to learn more about these animals and
the individual rescue stories of some Croc Encounters residents.
CROCODILIANS
Crocodiles and alligators are in the order Crocodylia. Inhabiting tropical and sub-tropical
regions thought the world are 23 species of crocodilian, broken down into 3 families,
Alligatoridae (Alligators and Caiman), Crocodylidae (Crocodiles), and Gavialidae
(Gharial).
Crocodiles are a pinnacle predator thriving in a niche at the water's edge. Crocodilians
have remained relatively unchanged for over 200 million years surviving two mass
extinctions. Crocodilians are opportunistic predators and will consume a variety of
carnivorous foods such as birds, turtles, small mammals, carrion, snakes, fish and even
smaller crocodilians.
Buc - American Crocodile
Amos - American Alligator
Captain Jack - Spectacled Caiman
Jojo - American Alligator
Choppers - Broad-snouted Caiman
Seminole- Crocodylus acutus
SNAKES
Snakes are in the order Squamata. There are about 3,000 species of snakes ranging is
size from the 10 cm long thread snake to reticulated pythons over 7 meters long. Their
body form is excellently adapted for life on land or in water. Even though they lack
appendages many snakes are capable climbers, swimmers and/or burrowers. While a
small percentage of snakes possess venom toxic to humans, most are harmless. All
snakes are carnivorous and have excellent senses adapted to capturing their prey.
Pinky - Red-tailed Boa
Retic - Reticulated Python
LIZARDS
Lizards are in the order Squamata. They differ from snakes in that they have four limbs,
eyelids and external ear openings. There are exceptions to this. Some lizards have no
limbs and some have no eyelids. There is a huge variety in the sizes and adaptations in
lizards. Carribbean geckos can be as small as a few centimeters, while Komodo Dragons
can reach sizes close to three meters!
Louie - Rhino Iguana
Jellybean - Red Tegu
TURTLES AND TORTOISES
Turtles and toritoises are some of the most ancient types of reptiles – the earliest
known dating from 215 million years ago. Their appearance is also unique among their
reptilian cousins. Turtles are in the order Testudines with about 300 species alive today.
Probably the most remarkable feature of this group is the special bony or cartilaginous
shell developed from their ribs. Turtles and toritoises are some of the longest lived
animals on this planet.
Oreo - Diamondback Terrapin
Dusty - African Sulcata Tortoise
Gator Snapper - Alligator Snapping Turtle