American Crocodiles

Description of American crocodile | What Crocodiles look like | Crocodile habitat | Crocodile nests | Crocodile egg hatching | Crocodile's predatory habits | Crocodile population | Danger of crocodiles to humans | Age of reptiles

Description of American crocodile

The American crocodile

• lives in the southern tip of Florida, which is a tropical climate
• is even more sensitive than the American alligator to the cold
• is listed as an endangered species under the federal Endangered Species Act
• is a relic of the age of reptiles
• is a shy and reclusive animal that is easily disturbed by human activity and
• prefers coastal, brackish or salt water habitats.

What Crocodiles look like

Crocodiles

• have tapered and triangular-shaped snouts with an exposed fourth tooth on either side of the lower jaw and
• are grayish green, dark olive or gray-brown across the back.

Crocodile habitat

Crocodiles were once found from Lake Worth to the waters in and around the Florida Bay. Most now nest in the Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Key Largo, in the Everglades and on the berms of the cooling canals of the FPL Turkey Point Plant. Crocodiles prefer the quiet waters of coastal mangrove swamps where they are protected from onshore winds.

Crocodile nests

Some crocodiles dig burrows 10-30 feet deep into the creek banks with entrances at or below the water line. Their nests, which are built on marl banks or sand and shell beaches, are simpler than alligator nests.

Crocodile egg hatching

Clutches of 8 to 50 crocodile eggs incubate for about 85 days. Sometimes the mother crocodile helps the babies hatch by carefully cracking the eggshells in her mouth.

Crocodile's predatory habits

Crocodiles feed at night on fish and other aquatic animals in

• creeks
• open water and
• deep channels.

Crocodile population

Despite protection, the number of crocodiles in South Florida has been slow to increase. The current population seems to have stabilized. Habitat loss and change in salinity and water levels in Florida Bay may be a factor in limiting populations.

Danger of crocodiles to humans

Because of the shy and reclusive nature of crocodiles, they generally do not pose a problem for humans.

Age of reptiles

Crocodilians are relics of the age of reptiles-the era in which these primitive-looking creatures ruled the earth for 100 million years. Today, only 23 crocodilian species remain and many of these are in danger of extinction from conflicts with man. Of all the reptiles, crocodilians are the largest and have the most complex behavior, including elaborate courtship displays, nest building behavior and social rituals.