Alligator Production Review 1 Thomas J. Lane and Kathleen C. Ruppert 2 Alligators have long been popular for their skins and meat. As early as 1890 alligators were hunted in Florida, and an alligator farm was established as a commercial enterprise in 1891. However, in recent years alligator farming has received renewed interest as a growing aquacultural industry. This is especially so in Florida where several new alligator farms have become established within the last ten years.
Alligator farming as a viable agricultural industry has several distinct advantages.
It offers an efficient way to directly utilize meat and meat products which are not suitable for human consumption. Alligator farming also offers a potential income to farmers for a product that has not been exploited, and allows the use of land that in the past has been a nonproductive or marginal wetland. Alligator farming does not have adverse effects on the environment, and does not require large quantities of land or water. The world market for crocodilian hides should be approximately 2,000,000 by the year 2000. Value of the finished products may be in excess of five to ten times the raw product value.