Albino alligators are incredibly rare and only a handful of zoos in America even have them. It is estimated that there are only around 100 or so albino alligators in existence so your chances of seeing one are pretty low.
Albino alligators are also known as white alligators.There are actually two kinds of white alligators: leucistic and albino. Albino alligators have white skin and pink eyes while leucistic alligators have white skin or spotted skin with blue eyes.
Legend says that if you look into the eyes of a white alligator, you’ll have good luck. Although it may be nearly impossible to spot an albino alligator in the wild, you can see one in a zoo if you know where to go.
The following is a list of zoos that have albino alligators:
African Safari Wildlife Park:
Address: 267 S Lightner Road, Port Clinton, Ohio
Website: www.africansafariwildlifepark.com
Established in 1973, the African Safari Wildlife Park is a drive-thru safari park in Port Clinton, Ohio.
The park also features a walk-thru safari where visitors can see the park’s albino American alligator, Jewel. Jewel is a female American alligator who was born in 2002.
In 2022, the African Safari Wildlife Park was voted the #9 Best Safari Park in USA Today’s Top 10 Best Choice Awards.
The African Safari Wildlife Park is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
California Academy of Sciences:
Address: Golden Gate Park 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA
Website: www.calacademy.org
Established in 1853, the California Aquarium of Sciences is a science museum and educational institute in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
The institute features an aquarium that is home to an albino alligator named Claude who lives in an exhibit known as the Swamp. Claude is an American alligator who has become one of the most popular residents at the aquarium.
Claude shares the swamp with four snapping turtles and some freshwater fish. The above ground tank allows visitors to watch Claude both above the water and below.
Hatched on an alligator farm in Louisiana in 1995, Claude was sent to a zoo in Florida because his albinism requires special care. In 2008, he was acquired by the California Aquarium of Sciences where he has lived ever since.
Gator Beach:
Address: 20001 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL
Website: www.gatorbeach.com
Gator Beach is a small alligator park located at Fudpucker’s restaurant in Destin, FL.
The park features around 100 American alligators including one albino American alligator named Pearl who lives in area of the park known as the Crocodilia Discovery Zone, which also has a baby alligator exhibit. Pearl is a female American alligator who was born in 2005.
The park offers free admission to customers of the restaurant and has free live alligator shows.
Gatorland:
Address: 14501 S Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL
Website: www.gatorland.com
Established in 1949, Gatorland is an alligator park in Orlando, Florida.
The park features over 2,000 American alligators including eight rare white alligators, four of which are albino alligators and the rest are leucistic alligators, in an exhibit at the park known as the White Gator Swamp, which opened in 2009.
The four albino alligators are named Pearl, Huck, Sawyer and Elly Mae. Pearl is an adult alligator that hatched in 2008 and Huck, Sawyer and Elly Mae are young alligators that hatched in November of 2019.
In 2017, the park celebrated White Gator Week during which visitors downloaded trading cards from the website that depicted the name and information of each of the white alligators at the park.
In 2021, Orlando Magazine named Gatorland a can’t miss Florida attraction.
If you would like to visit Gatorland and want to save money on tickets, check out this article on Gatorland discount tickets.
Georgia Aquarium:
Address: 225 Baker Street Northwest, Atlanta, GA
Website: www.georgiaaquarium.org
Established in 2005, the Georgia Aquarium is an aquarium in Atlanta.
In addition to fish and marine life, the aquarium also features American alligators inluding several albino alligators, in their glass-bottom River Scout exhibit.
The aquarium received the albino alligators from the St. Augustine Alligator Farm in February of 2020.
The Georgia Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Good Zoo at Oglebay Resort:
Address: 345 Zoo Cir, Wheeling, WV
Website: oglebay.com/good-zoo
Established in 1977, the Good Zoo is a zoo at the Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia.
The zoo features an albino American alligator named Luna. She lives in a seperate area of the park with two other alligators, who are not albino.
The zoo acquired the albino alligator in 2017 and held a naming contest in May of that year to decide what her name would be and ultimately chose the winning name Luna.
Gulf Breeze Zoo:
Address: 5701 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL
Website: www.gbzoo.com/attractions
Established in 1984. Gulf Breeze Zoo is a zoo in Gulf Breeze that features exotic animals such as giraffes, gorillas, hippos, rhinos and American alligators.
The zoo is also home to two small albino alligators named Brutus and Nero. For an extra fee, visitors can even hold the albino alligators and have their photo taken with them.
A word of caution about the zoo, in 2015, the Department of Agriculture filed a complaint against the owners of the zoo, Eric Mogensen and his daughter Meghan Mogensen, for multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act at the Gulf Breeze Zoo and two other zoos they own in Virginia.
Meghan Mogensen plead guilty to an act of animal cruelty that occurred while she was working at the Reston Zoo in Virginia and spent a month in jail.
The Gulf Breeze Zoo is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums but it is accredited by the Zoological Association of America.
Louisville Zoo:
Address: 1100 Trevilian Way, Louisville, KY
Website: louisvillezoo.org
Established in 1969, the Louisville Zoo is a zoo in Louisville, Kentucky. The zoo features a six-foot-long albino American alligator named King Louie.
King Louie was hatched in Florida on June of 1995 and was acquired by the St. Augustine Alligator Farm shortly after but he now lives in a special exhibit at the Louisville Zoo called the HerpAquarium.
King Louie shares his living quarters with a number of other animals including Chinese alligators, gila monsters and boa constrictors.
The Louisville Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Newport Aquarium:
Address: 1 Levee Way, Newport, KY
Website: www.newportaquarium.com
Established in 1999, the Newport Aqaurium is an aquarium in Newport, Kentucky.
The aquarium features American alligators, which includes two albino alligators named Snowflake and Snowball, in its Legends of the White Gators exhibit.
Snowflake is a female albino American alligator who is about six feet long and weighs about 65 pounds. Snowball is a male albino American alligator who is also six feet long and weighs about 85 pounds.
Snowball was hatched at a Lousiana alligator farm in 2003 and Snowflake was hatched at the same alligator farm in 2005. They were both purchased as hatchlings by the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and were later given to the Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, GA before being acquired by the Newport Aqaurium in 2013.
The Newport Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland:
Address: 18628 US-15, Allenwood, PA
Website: reptiland.com
Established in 1964, Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland, is a zoo in Allenwood, Pennsylvania.
The zoo features a female albino American alligator named Sirphis. Sirphis is about six feet and six inches in length and weighs about 125 pounds.
She was hatched on an alligator farm in 2013 before being purchased by the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and was eventually acquired by Reptiland.
Sirphis was named after the zoo’s corporate sponsor, Sirphis LLC, which designs outdoor apparel.
Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Reptile Zoo in Fountain Valley:
Address: 18818 Brookhurst Street, Fountain Valley, CA
Website: prehistoric-inc.square.site
Established in 2009, the Reptile Zoo is a zoo in Fountain Valley, California that is dedicated exclusively to reptiles.
Among the many reptiles at the zoo are a number of American alligators, including an albino American alligator named Coconut.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm:
Address: 999 Anastasia Blvd, St. Augustine, FL
Website: www.alligatorfarm.com
Established in 1893, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm is a historic zoo in St. Augustine, Florida.
The park is the only zoo in the world that displays all 23 crocodilian species, including a number of albino American alligators.
The zoo acquired its first albino alligators in 2014 when it received four baby albino alligators from a Louisiana rancher and has acquired many more since then.
David Kledzik, curator of reptiles at the park, explained in an interview with the Tahoe Daily Tribune that the park has a deal with the rancher to supply the park with albino alligators:
“Every few years we get a call, ‘Come get your albinos.’ We go out there and get the albinos. We may get six or eight a trip,” Kledzik said.
The park sometimes sells any albino alligators it can’t keep to other zoos and alligator parks in the country.
If you would like to see these albino alligators in person and want to save money on tickets, check out this article on St. Augustine Alligator Farm discount tickets.
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Wildlife World Zoo:
Address: 16501 W Northern Ave, Litchfield Park, AZ
Website: wildlifeworld.com
Established in 1984, the Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park is a zoo, aquarium and safari park in Litchfield Park, Arizona.
The zoo features an aquarium where it houses its American alligators, which includes one albino American alligator.
Wild Florida Airboats & Gator Park:
Address: 3301 Lake Cypress Rd, Kenansville, FL
Website: wildfloridairboats.com
Established in 2010, Wild Florida Airboats and Gator Park is an animal park with boat tours.
The park features American alligators, including albino American alligators. The park acquired its first albino alligators in May of 2017 when it purchased a pair of breeding albino alligators, named Snowflake and Blizzard, from the St. Augustine Alligator Farm.
Snowflake is a female alligator who was hatched in 1999 and Blizzard is a male alligator who was hatched in 2010. The pair produced three baby albino alligators in 2020 and two baby albino alligators in 2021.
For an extra fee, visitors can also take part in the Albino Alligator Training Encounter where they can feed and interact with Snowflake and Blizzard and even take photos with them.
Miller Park Zoo:
Address: 1020 S Morris Ave, Bloomington, IL
Wesbite: mpzs.org
Established in 1914, the Miller Park Zoo is a zoo located in Miller Park, which is a public park in Bloomington, Indiana.
The park features two American alligators, one of which is a male albino alligator. The park acquired the two alligators in 2019 and are housing them in the zoo’s former harbor seal exhibit.
Miller Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Sources:
Diaz, Coty. “Miller Park Zoo announces new American alligator exhibit.” Central Illinois Proud, 1 May. 2019, centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/miller-park-zoo-announces-new-american-alligators-exhibit/
“Daily download: rare albino alligator on display at zoo in Knoxville, Tenn: ‘Nobody believes she’s real.’” Tahoe Daily Tribue, 13 May, 2007, tahoedailytribune.com/news/daily-download-rare-albino-alligator-on-display-at-zoo-in-knoxville-tenn-nobody-believes-shes-real/
Perkins, Chris. “Pair of albino alligators hatched in Florida.” Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2021, sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/fl-ne-albino-alligators-born-florida-rare-20210818-bpeemgylgzguhdi45lylr6yznu-story.html
“Aquarium.” Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park, wildlifeworld.com/aquarium/predators/
“Albino alligator babies make white Christmas in Florida.” WESH, 24 Dec. 2014, wesh.com/article/albino-alligator-babies-make-white-christmas-in-florida/4438971
“Albino alligators.” St. Augustine Alligator Farm, alligatorfarm.com/albino-alligators/
“Visit.” The Reptile Zoo, thereptilezoo.org/copy-of-about
“The white alligator has returned.” Clyde Peeling’s Retiland, reptiland.com/exhibits/white-alligator/
“Gator Alley.” Wave Foundation, wavefoundation.org/wp-content/pdf-download/Gator-Alley-packet.pdf
“Albino alligators return to Newport Aqaurium.” The Enquirer, 16 July. 2014, cincinnati.com/story/news/2014/07/16/white-alligators-newport-aquarium/12732519/
“Newport Aquarium’s white gators, Snowball and Snowflake, get new home for Christmas.” WCPO, 29 Nov. 2018, wcpo.com/news/local-news/campbell-county/newport/newport-aquariums-white-gators-snowball-and-snowflake-get-new-home-for-christmas
“Gator Alley.” Newport Aqaurium, newportaquarium.com/Things-To-Do/Exhibits/Gator-Alley-Exhibit
“Louisville Zoo on Twitter: Yesterday was the birthday of two amazing animals – King Louie the white alligator, and Dot the Aldabra tortoise!” Twitter, twitter.com/LouisvilleZoo/status/1405291617901109252
“Alligator, American.” Louisville Zoo, louisvillezoo.org/animalsandplants/alligator-american/
“American Alligator at the Good Zoo at Oglebay Resort.” Oglebay, oglebay.com/good-zoo/meet-the-animals/american-alligator/
Willis, Kiersten. “Georgia Aquarium’s new exhibit features rare albino alligator.” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 24 Feb. 2020, ajc.com/lifestyles/georgia-aquarium-new-exhibit-features-rare-albino-alligator/NCtPRRlxRDIiC7sGVZhz7H/
“Rare alligators arrive at at Georgia Aquarium.” Georgia Aquarium, news.georgiaaquarium.org/stories/rare-alligators-arrive-at-georgia-aquarium
“Albino alligator, rare white gators from Gatorland in Orlando get new home.” Florida Today, 14 Oct. 2019, floridatoday.com/story/news/2019/10/14/albino-alligator-white-gators-gatorland-orlando/3973573002/
“White Gator Week.” Gatorland, gatorland.com/specials/white-gator-week/
Cardona, Carolina. “A look into Gatorland’s white gator swamp and why its unique.” Click Orlando, 10 March. 2020, clickorlando.com/news/local/2020/03/10/a-look-into-gatorlands-white-gator-swamp-and-why-its-unique/
Guthrie, Julian. “Albino alligator Claude to mark 15th birthday.” Sfgate, 14 Sept. 2010, sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Albino-alligator-Claude-to-mark-15th-birthday-3253032.php
Olney, Jennifer. “From the ABC7 Archive: Claude, the albino alligator’s, dramatic arrival at the Cal Academy in SF.” ACB 7 News, 27 Sept. 2018, abc7news.com/claude-cal-academy-albino-alligator-california-of-sciences-san-francisco-sf-anniversary/4346205/
Moscato, David. “Meet Pearl, one of the world’s rare albino alligators.” Earth Touch News Network, 2 Feb. 2017, earthtouchnews.com/natural-world/natural-world/meet-pearl-one-of-the-worlds-rare-albino-alligators/
Ferris, Catherine. “”Albino alligator gives toothy grin during bath in viral clip.” Newsweek, 15 March. 2022, newsweek.com/albino-alligator-gives-toothy-grin-during-bath-viral-clip-1688201
“American Alligators are at Georgia aquarium’s new glass bottom exhibit.” Georgia Aquarium, georgiaaquarium.org/gators-are-back/
Botelho, Jessica A. “Esla, a rare white alligator, featured in ‘Shades of Nature’ exhibit at zoo.” 16 June. 2021, turnto10.com/news/local/rare-white-alligator-featured-in-shades-of-nature-exhibit-at-zoo
“Alligator, American.” Louisville Zoo, louisvillezoo.org/animalsandplants/alligator-american/
Wetzel, Corryn. “Rare albino alligators hatch at Florida zoo.” Smithsonian, 19 Aug. 2021, smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/rare-albino-alligators-hatch-florida-zoo-180978479/
Perkins, Chris. “Pair of rare albino alligators hatched in Florida.” Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2021, sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/fl-ne-albino-alligators-born-florida-rare-20210818-bpeemgylgzguhdi45lylr6yznu-story.html
Isern, Will. “Agency Alleges Animal Mistreatment at Gulf Breeze Zoo.” Pensacola News Journal, 19 June. 2015, pnj.com/story/news/local/gulf-breeze/2015/06/19/usda-files-complaint-gulf-breeze-zoo-owner/29007019/
Isern, Will. “GB Zoo Operator’s Letter Denies Charges.” Pensacola News Journal, 27 June. 2015, pnj.com/story/news/local/gulf-breeze/2015/06/25/gulf-breeze-zoo-operator-denies-charges/29314975/
“Florida Zoo Owner Charged With Mistreating Animals.” WINK, 22 June. 2015, winknews.com/2015/06/22/florida-zoo-owner-charged-with-mistreating-animals/
“Best Safari Park Winners.” USA Today 10 Best, 10best.com/awards/travel/best-safari-park-2022/
McKee, Jennifer. “Gatorland is a Can’t Miss Florida Attraction.” Orlando Magazine, 4 June. 2021, orlandomagazine.com/gatorland-is-a-cant-miss-florida-attraction/
“Accredited Facilities.” Zoological Association of America, zaa.org/accredited-facilties
“Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums.” Association of Zoos and Aqariums, aza.org/current-accreditation-list
