Gather around for a feeding frenzy in the United States' oldest city.

  • St. Augustine Alligator Farm opened in 1893
  • It's the only zoo that has every species of alligator and crocodile
  • Some of the species are endangered

"You're on the bridge, and everybody is ready to eat," said Michelle Kiley, from Ponte Vedra.

John Brueggen, the general manager of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, said it's the only zoo in the world that has every species of crocodile and alligator. Visitors crowd the boardwalk to behold the 24 different species.

The St. Augustine Alligator Farm opened in 1893 as an attraction near a railroad depot.

"We like to say we're 120 years old, but we never want to look like it," Brueggen said.

The farm is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

"We want to be Old Florida," Brueggen said. "We want that feel, but we don't want you coming in and thinking, 'Gosh, is this boardwalk going to fall apart?' or something like that. We're constantly putting in and investing back into it."

Brueggen is part businessman and part Dr. Dolittle at the farm. The St. Augustine Alligator Farm still offers an up-close look at gators, but the famed gators who once slid down a slide are now content to sun themselves.

"Alligators and crocodiles maybe have a negative connotation in peoples' minds," Brueggen said. "These predators — and we are all wired to be fearful of predators — but many of them are endangered species. They are having trouble surviving in the wild."

Keep your eyes open, though. You'll spot some crocodiles mixed in with the gators.

"When you first go through, it's all the crocodiles from South America and then the ones from Africa and then the ones from Asia," Brueggen said.

Also, say hello to Maximo. The saltwater crocodile measures 15 feet, 3 inches long and 1,200 pounds. Maximo is the largest animal in the park. An underwater viewing window allows visitors to see Maximo swim.

Living reptiles at the farm also love attention. In the python cave, you can walk right up to the snakes.

And then there are the dragons.

Kiley fell in love with a monster. The Komodo dragons crave attention, often times coming face-to-face with visitors.

"She was sleeping over there," Kiley said. "She stuck her head out and said hello."

One of the most unique creatures comes from down under. The southern cassowary from Australia is called "the world's most dangerous bird."

Their powerful kick, as well as sharp claws, could flatten a human. Female cassowaries make the males raise the chicks.

Photographers also love the park for the proximity to nesting birds.

"We want people to walk out of here understanding that they are really cool and they might be a reason to do something to save them in the wild and have an appreciation for wildlife overall," Brueggen said.

For information on ticket costs, admission prices and operating hours, click here.