Gator Alley showcases a variety of reptiles including newts, snakes, lizards, turtles and geckos in their diverse habitats. Learn about some of their unique stories of survival and the part humans have played in their near extinction - and now their successful return to the wild.
Be transported to the marshy wetlands of the southern US where you’ll meet rare white American Alligators Snowball and Snowflake. Plus, meet an Orinoco Crocodile - one of the rarest reptiles in the world – making their home near a village on the Orinoco River in South America.
Meet the NEW Orinoco Crocodile, one of the rarest reptiles in the world! This adorable baby croc and its toothy smile arrived at Newport Aquarium for a very important purpose – to save this critically endangered species from extinction!
Biologists estimate there are as few as 1,500 Orinoco Crocodiles left in the wild. They were hunted to near extinction from 1920 to 1950, driven by the world’s cruel desire for crocodile skin fashions like shoes and handbags.
Orinoco Crocodiles are listed as “critically endangered.” That means they face an extreme risk of going extinct in the wild. In partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Newport Aquarium cares for the rare retiles in a temporary home in Gator Alley until they grow over 3 feet long. Once they meet that milestone, the Orinoco Crocodiles are transported back to South America where they are released and studied to see the positive impact this effort has on breeding wild populations of these critically endangered animals.
Stay tuned! A new group of Orinoco Crocodiles are arriving soon!
Get eye-to-eye with two of the rarest animals in the world – albino American alligators Snowball and Snowflake! There are many legends about the sacred nature of white gators among Native American and Eastern cultures. Cajuns tell how gazing into the eyes of a white alligator can bring good luck and prosperity!
