The Alligator

Ohio History

Smiling Gator

May I introduce you to Mighty Mike, the king of the Aquarium's alligator exhibit! This whopping 14-foot-long, 800-pound reptile has been a highlight of Newport Aquarium for several years. In fact, it will be moving to another museum in a few months, so we were very happy to be able to see it! Although no one is sure, Mighty Mike is likely at least 50 years old. It eats 300 pounds of food each year, namely fish, rabbits, and (to my dismay) chickens!

Mighty Mike and the Boat Dock

According to the posted signs, Mighty Mike was an ordinary wild alligator which began living near a boat dock on Lake Talquin, Florida in 2000. Local authorities ordered it to be destroyed because, well, local residents did not really want an 800-pound alligator in their backyards. But a local trapper knew it was a unique alligator because of its large size. He captured it and turned it over to live a domestic life in aquariums around the country. Mighty Mike actually had a pretty nice aquarium, with an actual boat dock as the backdrop.