The 400-pound American alligator named Spike at the Phoenix Herpetological Society will be leaving shortly for a new life at a preserve in Florida.
The alligator, who was rescued from a trailer stopped near Casa Grande in 2005 with 31 other illegal reptiles, has lived at the sanctuary in Scottsdale since. However, Spike has outgrown his enclosure and will be moving to the Florida preserve to live out his days in a larger, natural habitat with two female alligators.
“Spike has been a member of the PHS family and we are going to miss him, but he has outgrown his enclosure here,” said Russ Johnson, PHS president.
A special crate has been built for Spike to ensure a safe ride to Florida.
