A Kenansville family celebrated the birth of its eighth child this week.
The fact that it was at Wild Florida, and the family is a rare species of amphibian, makes this story unique.
The eco-park announced this week the hatching of another rare albino alligator in its Gator Park. That makes eight hatchlings over since 2020.
Parents Snowflake, an eight-foot long 30-year-old female, and Blizzard, a 16-year-old male measuring 10 feet, are the first pair of breeding albino alligators in Central Florida. Albino gators are rare in that the lack of melanin in their skin makes them completely white and extremely sensitive to sunlight. It makes their life in the wild a challenge, as alligators and most other reptiles use the sun to help regulate their body temperature, and robs them of the natural camouflage color that helps hide from predators.
Albino alligators also generally have poor vision; Snowflake is believed to be completely blind according to the park’s “Croc Squad.” It all adds up for it to be nearly impossible for such a gator to reach maturity in the wild. At Wild Florida, they live in a climate-controlled exhibit with plenty of shade and a heating lamp to keep them comfortable.
The latest hatchling came after a 60-day incubation period carefully monitored by the Croc Squad. Upon discovery, the 10 eggs were moved to a climate-controlled incubation room where they could be carefully watched by members of the Croc Squad like Andrew Ayala.
“We worked together to produce one perfect healthy albino alligator hatchling this season,” said Andrew Ayala on the Croc Squad. “We are most proud of the parents, Snowflake and Blizzard, who continue to beat the odds and be a one-of-a-kind experience for guests.”
A naming contest for the newest member of the family will start soon. So, can you visit the newest baby albino? Not just yet. It’ll make its debut after about a month of care. But Snowflake and Blizzard, who’ve been with Wild Florida for seven years, are available to visit at the Gator Park from Monday through Saturday in their exhibit.
Four albino gators hatched in 2020, two in 2021 and one in 2021. Sadly, the no eggs hatched last year, after they became present on a Sunday the handlers weren’t present.
To learn more about Snowflake, Blizzard and other albino alligators, visit www.wildfloridairboats.com/blizzard-snowflake-about-albino-alligators.
