Croc Encounters proudly announces its first annual Croc Day, on Saturday September 14th, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (rain or shine!) with very special Guests Jimmy Riffle, Andy, Tre and Scott, stars of Animal Planet's top-rated series, Gator Boys.
The Boys will be signing autographs, posing for photos, and hanging out with the crowd (and with our crocodiles!), as we all enjoy Croc Encounters' biggest blowout party ever.
Guests can have their photo taken holding a gator - or sitting atop a huge 10-foot gator! They can tour the facilities, catch an animal show and enjoy plenty of fun family activities (music food, bounce house and slide, funny-face cut-out photos, and Lily the Clown's face-painting and balloons).
Croc Day will help us raise much-needed funds for the operation of our non-profit sanctuary. It costs a pretty penny to keep all these voracious reptiles well-fed and cared for. So we, our TV celebrity friends, and our huge family of rescued reptilians can't wait to greet Tampa-area animal lovers and crocoficionados, and to thank them for supporting our efforts!
The event goes one rain or shine. Covered areas will allow for activities to continue if inclement weather should arise. Rain checks for a return visit will be issued in the event of inclement weather so everyone can enjoy the facility to its fullest. Tickets are $10 Children / $20 Adults ($15 advanced-sale tickets are available).
"GATOR BOYS follows the death-defying exploits of Paul Bedard and Jimmy Riffle, two extraordinary alligator trappers who risk injury and death to hand-capture nuisance alligators that have invaded the back yards, swimming pools, garages and bedrooms of Florida Everglades residents.
It takes serious skill to do what the GATOR BOYS do. Paul is known for his commanding personality and unmatched expertise, capturing any-sized gator underwater with his bare hands. And Jimmy has been gator wrestling since he was 11-years-old, giving him the unmatched ability to handle nearly any dangerous reptile with ease.
The duo get face-to-face with ferocious alligators whose jaws have 3,500 pounds of crushing power per square inch. The goal of Gator Boys Alligator Rescue is to get alligators out of harm’s way before they are captured and killed by rival trappers, who will kill the gators and sell them for their skin and meat."
For more information visit Animal Planet's Gator Boys Page
Click here for some of the Gator Boys bios.
Family Fun Activities Included with Entry:
- Photographs and Autographs with Gator Boys crew
Jimmy Riffle, Andy, Tre, and Scott - Inflatable Bounce House and Slide
- Fun Face Cut-outs for Photos
- DJ Music
- Face Painting
- Balloon Artist
- Live Reptile Shows
- Look & Touch Animal Encounters
- Admission into Croc Encounters
- Clown
- Pony Rides
- Petting Zoo
Also Available for an Additional Cost:
- Photo Opportunities Holding an Alligator
- Photo Opportunities Sitting on
the Back of a Huge 10' Alligator - Alligator & Crocodile Feeding
- Tortoise Feeding
- Food & Beverages
- And More!
Paul Simmons
Meet and Greet with Paul Simmons, the mentor and trainer of some of the Gator Boys and other well known alligator wrestlers of today.
Paul watched most of the Gator Boys learn and develop their skills at the Native village, and mentored some of them under the direction of Skeet Johns. It has been most satisfying to watch each of them grow over the last decade. Jimmy and Andy Riffle worked with Paul on his and Ian Tyson’s road shows back some time ago.
Click here for Paul's Biography
David "The Cobra Kid" Weathers
Meet and Greet with David “The Cobra Kid” Weathers, a professional venomous snake handler and animal trainer. He is known for his appearances on MTV’s “Wildboyz” and "Jackass" movies. He was also featured in Season 8 of America's Got Talent with his incredible snake acts.
Click here for David's Biography
The Suncoast Herpetological Society (SHS) is a not-for-profit, educational, and recreational club for people with an interest in reptiles and ampibians with an emphasis on Responsible Husbandry & Captive Breeding.
Check our our Press Release for Croc Day 2013.
Yearly membership includes complementary admission to Croc Day.
Memberships are just $25 for individuals and $99 for a family of five.
Click here to purchase a membership today.