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Visit Mighty Mike, a rare, 800-pound specimen of American alligator, at Adventure Aquarium from now through February 29. (Photo courtesy Adventure Aquarium)

There’s something huge awaiting your next visit to Adventure Aquarium. And his name is Mighty Mike.

A 14-foot long, 800-pound American alligator, Mighty Mike, now at Adventure Aquarium on the Camden waterfront, is considered the largest alligator on display outside of Florida, and the third largest animal ever exhibited at Adventure Aquarium.

Mighty Mike, believed to be around 50 years old, is an over-sized ambassador for crocodilian conservation.

Here’s his story: back in 2000, there was concern when an 800-pound alligator began living near a boat dock on Lake Talquin, Florida. Especially large alligators were considered threats to the local residents.

The trapper who caught the giant alligator saved him from being destroyed, as required by state law, at which point he was taken into keeping by local reptile expert Bruce Shwedick, now Mighty Mike’s keeper. The alligator is named after Shwedick’s son.

The American Alligator, one of 23 species of crocodile, was close to extinction almost 40 years ago. In fact, they were among the first animals listed in the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966, the first federal animal conservation law of its kind.

Mighty Mike will be at the aquarium just until the end of February 2012.

Adventure Aquarium
1 Riverside Drive, Camden
www.adventureaquarium.com