Croc Alligator

Croc Alligator

50 Offbeat Florida Attractions

An ancient Spanish monastery, spiritualist camp, castle made entirely of coral, undersea lodge, bat tower, seven mile bridge, Navy SEAL museum and other unique curiosities can all be found in the Sunshine State for those travelers who like to stray off the beaten path. Below are 50 of the most offbeat attractions in Florida:

African Queen - Key Largo, Florida

The marina at the Holiday Inn Key Largo (Mile Marker 100) is home to the original boat used in the classic 1951 movie, The African Queen, which was directed by legendary director John Huston and starred Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Huston and Robert Morley.

Ancient Spanish Monastery - North Miami Beach, Florida

Built in Segovia, Spain, in 1141, the Spanish Monastery is the oldest building in the Western Hemisphere. Newspaper tycoon, William Randolph Hearst, had the entire monastery dismantled and sent to the United States in the 1920s where it serves today as St. Bernard de Clairvaux Episcopal Church.

Big Cat Rescue - Tampa, Florida

The world's largest big cat rescue and sanctuary, Big Cat Rescue is home to lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, bobcats, ocelots, servals, lynx, caracals and other exotic cats. Guided educational tours of Big Cat Rescue are available.

Blue Hole - Big Pine Key, Florida

The largest body of fresh water in the Florida Keys, the Blue Hole is an old rock quarry created during the construction of the Florida East Coast Railway, according to legend. Today, the Blue Hole is home to alligators, turtles, fish, ducks and a variety of wading birds. The Blue Hole is located at Mile Marker 30.5 (bayside).

Burt Reynolds & Friends Museum - Jupiter, Florida

A monument to actor Burt Reynolds' massive ego, the Burt Reynolds & Friends Museum contains a collection of awards and memorabilia from his movie and TV career.

Butterfly World - Coconut Creek, Florida

One of South Florida's top tourist destinations, Butterfly World is the world's largest butterfly aviary - home to more than 80 butterfly species and 5,000 butterflies.

Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp - Cassadaga, Florida

A Historic Spiritualist Camp founded in 1894, Cassadaga is the oldest active religious community in the Southeastern United States and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Christ of the Deep - Key Largo, Florida

The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, "America's First Undersea Park," is home to the famous nine-foot-tall bronze "Christ of the Deep" statue, which lies 25 feet beneath the ocean in the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary.

Citrus Tower - Clermont, Florida

Although these days you will definitely view more subdivisions than citrus trees, you can still ride the elevator to an observation deck 226 feet above the rolling hills of Clermont for a spectacular glimpse of the surrounding area.

Coral Castle - Homestead, Florida

How did one individual endeavor to procure and sculpt more than 1,100 tons of coral rock into a “fantasy world carved out of stone” using only homemade tools? The secrets still lie within Coral Castle, "America's Stonehenge," the bizarre masterpiece of obsessive genius Ed Leedskalnin, which was built over a 28-year period.

Creations Pop Culture Museum - Delray Beach, Florida

A variety of incredible exhibits await you at Creations Pop Culture Museum, which features tons of Hollywood movie and TV memorabilia.

Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park - Gainesville, Florida

A National Natural Landmark, Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park boasts a 120-foot-deep sinkhole that is accessible from a stairway leading to a lush, "miniature rain forest." The premises include a visitors center and hiking trails.

Dinosaur World - Plant City, Florida

A unique outdoor museum, Dinosaur World is billed as the "world's largest dinosaur attraction." Highlights include life-size dinosaur replicas, caves, hands-on activities, fossil dig area, educational exhibits, gift shop and more.

Dry Tortugas National Park - Key West, Florida

About 70 miles West of Key West lies Dry Tortugas National Park, which is home to historic Fort Jefferson. Dry Tortugas National Park is accessible only by boat, ferry or seaplane.

Flipper's Grave - Grassy Key, Florida

Grassy Key in the Florida Keys is home to the Dolphin Research Center, which also serves as the final resting place for the original "Flipper" (real name: Mitzi), the most famous dolphin in film and TV history. Mitzi is buried in the Center's courtyard.

Gatorland - Orlando, Florida

Billed as the "Alligator Capital of the World," Gatorland features such lively shows as the world-famous Gator Jumparoo, Jungle Crocs of the World, Gator Wrestlin' Show and Up Close Animal Encounters, as well as the Gator Gully Splash Park, petting zoo, aviary, train ride and more.

Holy Land Experience - Orlando, Florida

A "living, biblical history museum," Holy Land Experience allows visitors to meet interesting biblical characters in authentic costumes, view a fascinating collection of antiquities and expore the ancient architecture of biblical Jerusalem.

Jackie Gleason's Mausoleum - Miami, Florida

An immense outdoor mauseoleum at the Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery in Miami serves as the final resting place for Jackie Gleason, who will always be remembered for his role as Ralph Kramden in "The Honeymooners." The only inscription on the mausoleum is Gleason's signature parting lines: "And Away We Go."

Jesus Film Project - Orlando, Florida

The two-hour docudrama, Jesus, has been viewed by approximately 5 billion people around the world since making its debut in 1979. Learn all about the "most widely viewed film in history" at the Jesus Film Project's master studio, which is located at the World Headquarters of Campus Crusade for Christ.

Jules' Undersea Lodge - Key Largo, Florida

The only underwater hotel in the United States, Jules' Undersea Lodge lies approximately 30 feet beneath the sea and guests have to scuba dive to reach the two-bedroom habitat.

Jungle Adventures - Christmas, Florida

A 20-acre wildlife sanctuary, Jungle Adventures is home to alligators, bears, deer, bobcats, panthers, crocodiles, monkeys, snakes and turtles. View alligator feedings and wildlife shows, take a jungle cruise and visit a Native American Village.

Key West Cemetery - Key West, Florida

Opened in 1847, the historic Key West Cemetery is home to a monument for sailors who died during the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine in 1898, as well as a number of quirky inscriptions such as "I Told You I Was Sick" and "Devoted Fan of Julio Iglesias."

Monkey Jungle - Miami, Florida

Visit Monkey Jungle - "Where Humans are Caged and Monkeys Run Wild!" One of the few protected habitats for endangered primates in the country, Monkey Jungle is home to more than 400 primates that run free on a 30-acre reserve. A total of 30 primate species are represented here such as spider monkeys, colobus, gibbons and guenons.

Monument to the States - Kissimmee, Florida

Begun in 1942, the 50-foot-tall Monument to the States lies in downtown Kissimmee and consists of more than 1,500 fossils and rocks from every state, as well as more than 20 countries.

Mulberry Phosphate Museum - Mulberry, Florida

Mulberry is known as the "Phosphate Capital of the World" and the Mulberry Phosphate Museum features an incredible colleciton of fossils and exhibits that document the town's role in the phosphate industry.

National Key Deer Refuge - Big Pine Key, Florida

A 8,542-acre National Wildlife Refuge that lies on Big Pine Key and No Name Key in the Florida Keys, the National Key Deer Refuge serves as the home of the endangered Key Deer, as well as nearly two dozen other threatened and endangered plant and animal species.

Navy SEAL Museum - Fort Pierce, Florida

The Navy SEAL Museum is the world's only museum dedicated exclusively to "the elite warriors of Naval Special Warfare."

Old Jail - St. Augustine, Florida

The entire family will enjoy a guided tour through this 1891 jail, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse - St. Augustine, Florida

Built in the early 1700s and located near the famous St. Augustine City Gates, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse contains a variety of unique artifacts and displays.

Perky's Bat Tower - Sugarloaf Key, Florida

Built in 1929 by Florida Keys entrepreneur, Richter Perky, as a way to attract mosquito-eating bats, Perky's Bat Tower never attracted any bats but today it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Potter's Wax Museum - St. Augustine, Florida

Billed as "America's first and finest wax museum," Potter's wax museum is nestled in historic St. Augustine and features more than 160 wax figures of such celebrities and historical figures as Albert Einstein, Julius Caesar, Tiger Woods, Princess Diana, Michael Jordan, Johnny Depp and even a bald Britney Spears!

Reptile World Serpentarium - St. Cloud, Florida

The Reptile World Serpentarium houses more than 50 species of snakes from all over the world such as the Australian taipan, king cobra and East African green mamba. Venom shows take place twice daily.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not! - Orlando, Florida

View such oddities as a Rolls Royce made from a million matchsticks, two-headed calf, shrunken head, four-eyed man, cannibal dinosaur, Mona Lisa made out of toast, Egyptian mummy, Van Gogh portrait made from 3,000 postcards and a piece of the Berlin Wall at the Orlando Odditorium, which appears like it is being slowly devoured by an immense sinkhole!

Ron Jon Surf Shop - Cocoa Beach, Florida

Open 24 hours a day, Ron Jon Surf Shop is a massive 52,000-square-foot, multilevel specialty store that features surfboards, clothing and surf-related souvenirs, as well as live music, demonstrations and autograph sessions.

Salvador Dali Museum - St. Petersburg, Florida

Nestled in downtown St. Petersburg (of all places!), the Salvador Dali Museum boasts the most comprehensive collection of permanent works by the famous surrealist painter such as "The Hallucinogenic Toreador" and "The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus."

Seven Mile Bridge - Marathon Key, Florida

A masterpiece of engineering, the Seven Mile Bridge was constructed between 1979 and 1982 on the Overseas Highway and serves to connect the Middle Keys (Marathon Key) to the Lower Keys (Little Duck Key). For the record, the actual length of the Seven Mile Bridge is 6.79 miles.

Solomon's Castle - Ona, Florida

Internationally known sculptor, Howard Solomon, created this unique medieval-style fortress to house his extensive artwork. Guided tours of Solomon's Castle are available. The premises also include the Boat in the Moat Restaurant.

Southernmost Point - Key West, Florida

A huge buoy-like structure at the corner of Whitehead and South streets in Key West supposedly marks the "Southernmost Point in the United States," which is only 90 miles North of Cuba.

Spook Hill - Lake Wales, Florida

Park your car at the bottom of this "gravity-defying hill" in Lake Wales and it will appear to roll up the hill. Is it an optical illusion or some kind of mystical occurrence?

St. Augustine Alligator Farm - St. Augustine, Florida

View Maximo the Giant Crocodile (15 feet and 3 inches long, 1,250 pounds) at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, which also features wildlife shows, nature habitats, albino alligators and much more.

Titanic: The Experience - Orlando, Florida

The world's first permanent Titanic exhibition features a full-scale re-creation of the Titanic's Grand Staircase and incredible stories of the passengers and crew who survived the tragedy, as well as more than 250 Titanic artifacts and memorabilia from the 1997 Oscar-winning movie, Titanic.

Venetian Pool - Coral Gables, Florida

Surrounded by Venetian-style architecture and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Venetian Pool is a 820,000-gallon pool that was carved out of a coral rock quarry in 1923. It features a variety of waterfalls, caves, grottos and a diving platform.

Water Ski Hall of Fame & Museum - Polk City, Florida

View the first pair of water skis and other rare artifacts and memorabilia that document the history of waterskiing at the Water Ski Hall of Fame & Museum, which also contains a resource center and audiovisual library.

Weeki Wachee Springs - Weeki Wachee, Florida

Established in 1947, Weeki Wachee Springs still features its ever-popular live mermaid shows, as well as a state-of-the-art waterpark called Buccaneer Bay and sightseeing boat tours.

WonderWorks - Orlando, Florida

Experience an earthquake, lie on a bed of nails, design your own roller coaster and immerse yourself in virtual reality fun at WonderWorks - "Orlando's only upside-down attraction!"

World Chess Hall of Fame - Miami, Florida

Learn about some of the most famous chess players in history such as Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky at the World Chess Hall of Fame, which also features fascinating chess exhibits and artifacts.

World Erotic Art Museum - Miami Beach, Florida

The World Erotic Art Museum boasts an extensive collection of more than 4,000 artifacts that comprehensively document the history of eroticism from 200 B.C. until today.

World's Largest Drive-In - Sunrise, Florida

Open since 1963, the Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop boasts the largest drive-in movie theater and daily flea market in the world.

World's Largest McDonald's - Orlando, Florida

In addition to offering a unique menu that includes gourmet sandwiches and desserts, this two-story McDonald's offers a 25,000-square-foot play area, as well as more than 60 arcade games. It is located just off world-famous International Drive.

World's Smallest Police Station - Carrabelle

Basically a phone booth, the World's Smallest Police Station was built in the early '60s to accommodate the one police office in Carrabelle, population 1,800. It's worth the photo opportunity if you ever find yourself driving aimlessly through Florida's panhandle.

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what is da diff b/w croc n alligator?

The first difference between a crocodile and an alligator is that they are from different families of crocodilians. Crocodiles are from the crocodylidae family, while alligators and caiman are from the alligatoridae family.

In terms of physical differences the easiest way to tell the difference between the two is that a crocodile has a very long, narrow, V-shaped snout, while the alligator's snout is wider and U-shaped. Because of the wide snout of the alligator it packs more crushing power to eat prey like turtles that constitute part of its diet. The narrow crocodile snout, although still very powerful, is not really suited for prey like turtles but is very versatile for fish and mammals.

Another physical difference between the crocodile and the alligator is that the crocodile's upper and lower jaws are nearly the same width, so the teeth are exposed all along the jaw line in an interlocking pattern, even when the mouth is closed. They also have an enormous 4th tooth on the lower jaw that is accommodated by depressions in the upper jaw just behind the nostrils.

An alligator, on the other hand, has a wider upper jaw, so when its mouth is closed the teeth in the lower jaw fit into sockets of the upper jaw, hidden from view. Only the teeth of the upper jaw are exposed along the lower jaw line. Even the enormous 4th tooth on the bottom jaw, which is exposed in a crocodile, is hidden in the alligator.

Another physical difference is that crocodiles have a lighter olive brown coloration, while alligators appear blackish. Alligators also prefer freshwater while crocodiles like brackish water and sometimes even ocean.

Speaking to this difference, while crocodiles and alligators both have glands on their tongues, crocodiles still use these glands to excrete excess salt. Alligators seem to have lost this ability, making their tolerance for salt water comparatively brief. Biologists believe this suggests that the crocodile is less removed from its oceanic ancestry.

Both crocodiles and alligators have dotted sensory pits along the upper and lower jaws that look almost like beard stubble. They detect slight changes in water pressure, thought to help the animals locate prey. These sensory pits were called Integumentary Sense Organs (ISOs) until they were renamed to Dermal Pressure Receptors (DPRs). While both animals have them along the jaws, the crocodile has one on every scale covering its entire body. Some researchers believe the crocodile's DPRs might be linked to detecting levels of salinity.

It is generally stated that alligators are docile compared to aggressive saltwater crocodiles, and that crocodiles grow larger. While true in general, there are exceptions to every rule among the many species. As an example, the average alligator grows to about 14 feet (4.3 meters), while crocodiles can reach 19 feet (5.8 meters) or more. That said there is one species of crocodile - the African dwarf - that barely reaches 5 feet (1.5 meters). Also, the Indian mugger crocodile has a decidedly U-shaped snout, breaking the V-shaped rule.

In terms of nesting, crocodiles lay their eggs in mud or sand nests near brackish water, while alligators make their nests out of mounds of vegetation surrounding freshwater.

In the United States crocodiles are only found around the southern tip of Florida, though they can also be found in the Caribbean, Central America and South America. Alligators are found in the southeastern United States, and South Florida is the only known place in the world where crocodiles and alligators cohabitate the same areas.

Crocodilians, which includes both crocodiles and alligators, are believed descended from archosauria which lived 250 million years ago at the end of the Paleozoic era when all the continents were joined together in a single mass known as Pangea. About 30 million years later in the Triassic period (220 million years ago) archosauria split into two lines of evolution, one being crocodilians and the other dinosaurs and birds. Scientists theorize that the Age of Reptiles, which lasted some 155 million years, ended about 65 million years ago when an asteroid struck Earth wiping out the dinosaurs. But while dinosaurs vanished crocodilians survived!

After surviving nearly unchanged for over 200 million years crocodiles and alligators were hunted to the brink of extinction between 1900 and 1967in a period as brief as a single man's life. Additionally their habitats continue to shrink. Today due to conservation efforts the American alligator is no longer on the endangered species list but many species of crocodiles remain at risk. Continued diligence is necessary if we are to preserve these incredible animals that open a door to the planet's early history and a window into an age of fantastic creatures that ruled the earth for tens of millions of years.

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