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The albino American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) at the Phoenix Herpetological Society in Scottsdale, Arizona. Photos by Phoenix Herpetological Society. |
The New Guinea crocodile (Crocodylus novaeguineae) is about 6 1/2 feet in length. |
The Phoenix Herpetological Society in Scottsdale, Arizona has added two new crocodilians to its collection of reptiles, including an albino American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) and a New Guinea crocodile (Crocodylus novaeguineae), bringing the number of crocodilians in its collection to 11. According to the society, the albino American alligator is just one of 50 in the United States. It is nearly five feet in length. The New Guinea crocodile is close to 6 1/2 feet in length and weighs about 140 pounds. The animals are each kept in their own enclosures.
The society received a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and an endorsement from the Arizona Game and Fish Department for the animals, which were flown in from Florida. The albino American alligator is currently about five feet in length and can grow to up to 15 feet and weigh up to 1,000 pounds.
The society is currently building an observation deck above the crocodile and alligator exhibit to give visitors and researchers a safe viewpoint to observe the alligators and crocodiles in the enclosure. An anonymous donation of $2,500 will help to build the deck. The society is soliciting donations to raise the remaining $2,500 needed to complete the deck. For more information about the society, please visit its website at www.phoenixherp.com/