The fall season is here, ladies and gentlemen, and it's still hot as hell in Los Angeles. While it's okay to be mad about it and shout the very same words off your porch that clinched an Oscar statuette for Pete Finch, it's always been a regular occurrence. We Angelinos just need to stick it through and find a way to enjoy – or avoid – the sun.

While we can stuck to some classics: taking a long nap at the food court of the nearest mall or constructing our very own slip and slide device; be leery something else lurks. Rest assured it's safe to go inside your bathroom. The white alligator loiters in safer waters.

The likelihood of seeing swamps in L.A. are slim to none unless one considers the L.A. River a murky, inhabitable place of reptilian wildlife. While debatable, chances are you'll get a better look, an educational lesson and if you are so inclined, a corn dog shoved down your throat while you venture Out of the Swamp at the Los Angeles Zoo.

The new exhibit is equal parts muggy weather and the swamp creatures that are typically seen on nature documentaries. The jewel of the filth though, is the white alligator, a true albino creature taken on special loan from an Association of Zoos and Aquariums certified institution in Florida.

Receiving top billing from its fellow friends (the animal is featured in the main entrance plaza) the white alligator is a sight to behold. Usually when you go to zoos, the thought of never seeing the animal that you really wanted to see becomes lodged in your brain.

Everyone can see the birds but really no one wants to see them. The koalas are always resting in the trees just eating their eucalyptus leaves, never having the decency to come up to the front and just stand there for one more many zoo patrons. The bears rather just hide in their caves or take a nice relaxing swim in the pool; just their silhouette is reflected upon the water. And if some animal just happens to be in a bush, don't bother waiting; it'll be lying there all day.

The white alligator though is a creature that does like to be seen. A striking image upon the water cascade, its scales are distinct upon any eye. And once your eyes become fixated at its eyes, it's a true wonder, almost as if you were looking at a shined ruby.

If being captivated by the white alligator wasn't enough for you, then there are other swamp mammals to be looked upon including river otters, spoonbills and ibis. Education stations will inform the young and young of heart about the significance of swamps. And to cap it all off, a special swamp scene has been edified, giving zoo patrons an opportunity to be like the late, great Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin and pose next to a replica of a real life alligator.

So what are you waiting for? Make like Swamp Thing and Get Up and Get Out!

The Los Angeles Zoo is located at 5333 Zoo Dr., in Los Angeles. Admission is $10. For more information, call (323) 644-4200 or visit www.lazoo.org.