Zoo News
Alligator Hatchlings on Display
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo® has three alligator hatchlings on display in the Desert Dome Sunroom. There were 13 total alligators hatched on August 5, 2009. They have yellowish orange bands that fade over time with a white underside belly. These colors will eventually fade as the hatchling matures and becomes all black in color. Alligator hatchlings are first fed approximately two weeks after they are hatched as they feed off the yolk stored in their bodies. Their diet consists of live crickets until around one month when they begin a pellet diet formulated for alligators. Once the alligators reach five feet in length, they are transferred to large outdoor exhibits in Florida.
In addition to the hatchlings, Omaha’s Zoo has two male and six female adult alligators on display in the Kingdoms of the Night® swamp. Male alligators can reach 15 – 16 feet in length and weigh approximately 250 pounds. Females can reach between seven and eight feet in length and weigh between 75 – 100 pounds. Omaha’s Zoo has been breeding alligators for the past five years as practice for other critically endangered species. Alligators are no longer on the endangered species list but are still protected.