Alligators are truly amazing creatures. We are so blessed to still see them all around South Carolina (like the Alligator Adventure in Myrtle Beach or Charles Towne Landing in Charleston).

Just recently, Business Week published in article underscoring once more their excellent survival skills and importance to the human race. Apparently, alligators have super-potent proteins in their blood with the ability to fight off fungi, viruses and drug resistant super-bugs. Researchers unleashed these proteins on 23 different strains of disease carrying bacteria. All of them were killed – a feat unequaled by any known human blood protein!

This post is an ode to one of the most magnificent and ancient animal on Earth. “You’re alright mate! You’re alright”…

Keep watching, respecting and protecting the South Carolina alligators!

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Utan The King of Crocs is the largest crocodile ever exhibited in the United States, measuring 20 feet long and weighing in at more than 1000 pounds. And you can see him right here in beautiful Myrtle Beach South Carolina! For the past 5 years he became the main attraction at the amazing Alligator Adventure “The Reptile Capital of the World” zoo. Imported from Thailand, Utan was transported to the U.S. via an enormous wooden crate during a long 10 days trip. For more information and tips to make the best of your Alligator Adventure family visit, see my previous post.

Tips to know before you go

Best time to see Utan is (you guessed it) at feeding time around 1 PM daily. You may want to get there early to grab a good photo spot as crowds gather quickly. There isn’t much shade so wear a hat and plenty of sunscreen and drink water often. No pain, no gain

Most of the day you will catch him napping under the sun. If you are lucky he may occasionally open his eyes and glance at you, but don’t hold your breath.

Here are some photos with this cutie “little” reptile…as beloved Steve Irwin used to say “you’re alright mate, you’re alright!” Click on each picture to get a full size view.

Utan’s mug shot. No beauty contest winner here…

Utan’s front leg. Pure Power!

Just to get an idea of its enormous size take a look at this family picture with him in the background.

Upclose photo of its skin…quite prehistoric looking!

Kick-up your family vacation with Utan the King of Crocs!

Looking for more adrenaline? Then go to Ripley’s Aquarium inside Broadway at the Beach. For about $20 ($10 for kids 6 to 11, and $4 for those 2 to 5) you can literally rub elbows with 15 foot Sharks and albino Sawfishes, pet and feed feisty stingrays, and if you hurry up before the year’s end, can even “shake hands” with Blackbeard, the most ruthless pirate in the Caribbean known to man!

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Alligators coming off the water and scrambling to get a nice spot to bake under the sun at Alligator Adventure in North Myrtle Beach. See you later alligator!

Here are more fun things to do with the kids at Barefoot Landing.

The Alligator Adventure zoological park is a must see family attraction when you visit North Myrtle Beach. Housed in the beautiful Barefoot Landing shopping center right in front of famous live music hangout The House of Blues the self-proclaimed “Reptile Capital of the World” is a guaranteed couple hours of wild, educational and fun times for the entire family.

Tips to know before you go

1. Avoid “the alligator fatigue” (there are hundreds of them spread mostly at the front of the zoo) and start your tour at the other end where you see some of the park’s unique specimens.

Here you’ll meet the park’s most beloved guest, Bob, the alligator without a tail. Born right here at the zoo he is well taken care off.

Check out “The Swamp White Ghost” albino alligator. Legend says it will bring you good luck if you see one in the wild.

Other notables: the fake Gharial and the real funny looking chinese Alligators.

You can also catch a glimpse of live medical action at the animal hospital.

2. Plan your visit after Spring Break if possible. This is when the live feedings start (alligators don’t eat anything during the winter!)
As you can imagine the first feeding days are quite animated.

Best time of the day is between 11:00 AM (first feeding) and 1:00 PM (when Utan, the King of Crocs eats).
Feeding shows are every 2 hours.

3. Young kids have a blast at the Reptile Show when they can pet snakes, turtles and a baby alligator. Nearby is a snack food stand. If you promise them ice cream they will wait quietly for the show to start.

4. The giant Galapagos turtles are also very popular with children of all ages. The “big puppies with shells”, love attention and are always on the move.
Charlie the male turtle is about 450 pounds. At 40 years old he is considered a teenager, just barely ready to mate.

Just for fun check the two Galapagos turtles “racing” on the premises video

5. You can get your second day at the park for free. Make sure to check your ticket at the gate before you leave. You can also save a buck or two if you buy your ticket online ahead of time.

Utan, The King of Crocs is by far the park’s main attraction. At 20 feet long and weighing in at more than a ton, he is the largest crocodile to ever be exhibited in the United States. In case you’re wondering his jaws bite pressure is a mind boggling 5 tons PSI! If you want to see more photos with Utan check out this post.

The fully air-conditioned reptile amphitheater, considered one of the best reptile houses in any zoological park, houses an impressive assortment of exotic snakes, like the giant Green Anaconda. The world’s largest snake it can reach an estimated maximum length of over 37 feet. Other cold-blooded cuties are the Retriculated Python (which rivals the Anaconda in size and occasionally preys on deer), the beautiful Green Mamba and the magnificent albino Phyton.

The colorful blue and gold macaw may chat with you if they are in a good mood.

Where

Alligator Adventure, Hwy 17 at Barefoot Landing, North Myrtle Beach SC. Phone: (843)-361-0789. Admission Tickets: Adults $16.95, Seniors $14.95, Children ages 4-12 are $10.95. Discounts are available, and children 3 and under get in Free.

Check out some funny videos I took during my 2008 Easter visit: Alligator Leaping to Get Food and Coming off the water gators find a sunbathing place”.

If you’re looking for something to do with your family that’s affordable, educational, memorable and fulfilling then visit Brookgreen Gardens a National Historic Landmark with the world’s most significant collection of outdoor American sculptures and the only accredited zoo on the South Carolina coast.

UPDATE!
Just came back from another Myrtle Beach vacation. Guess what else I’ve discovered? “The Beast Place in Myrtle Beach” aka Waccatee Zoo – the weekend fun thing to do! It’s just 15 minutes drive from the Grand Strand, and admission is only $12 ($4 for kids). Here are all the juicy details (like a video with a long horn hooking a poor emu!).

Enjoy!

And you thought Alligator Adventure in North Myrtle Beach it’s just about alligators! These grannies are sure to steal the thunder once they get moving.

If they can just figure out which way to go…

First alligator feeding of the year at the Alligator Adventure in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Some of these little cuties are hungry!…go figure after 3 months with no food.