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THE AMERICAN CROCODILE

COMMON NAMES:
American crocodile, Crocodile d'Amérique, Caimán de Aguja, Central American alligator, Cocodrilo de Rio, South American alligator, American saltwater crocodile

DISTRIBUTION:
Southern United States, Central and South America: Belize, Cayman Islands (Extinct), Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Hispaniola, Honduras, Jamaica, Margarita (poss.), Martinique (poss.), Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Trinidad (poss.), United States (extreme south Florida), Venezuela

HABITAT:
Both freshwater (including river, lakes and reservoirs) and brackish coastal habitats (including tidal estuaries, coastal lagoons and mangrove swamps).

STATUS:
IUCN-International Union of Conservation of Nature  
Estimated 10,999-50,000
Summary: Gradually recovering in the US, but relatively poor survey data in Central and South America indicate some populations stable but others declining.

APPEARANCE:
One of the larger crocodilian species. Males typically reach 15ft. There is a distinctive swelling in front of each eye, visible in all except the hatchlings. Juveniles are lighter than more mature animals, with banding on the body and tail. Adults take on an olive brown colour. Iris is silvery.

DIET:
Primarily fish, and other aquatic species including turtles and crabs. Also takes birds and feeds primarily at night. They are often blamed for the disappearance of domestic animals in populated areas. Occasional reports of attacks on humans, but authenticated records are very rare.

BREEDING:
Females reach sexual maturity at lengths of 7ft. Populations adapt their breeding strategy to suit the environment. This species is mainly a hole nester, but populations without access to suitable nest sites which can be excavated (relatively well drained) will build mound nests using whatever nesting materials are available. Nesting occurs during the dry season (to minimize flooding, especially in hole nests which are in danger of falling below the water table after heavy rains), and usually laying 30 and 60 eggs. Hatching, after around 90 days, coincides with the beginning of the annual rains.

CONSERVATION:
Decline in numbers was primarily due to demand for the high-quality skin of this species and it is perhaps ironic that this high-value skin now makes sustainable use management programs feasible. Presently, continuing hunting combined with habitat destruction are the most immediate threats. Major threats in the US are from habitat removal (e.g. mangrove swamps outside the Everglades National Park) and direct human disturbance (e.g. shooting, road-kills, gill-net fishing, vandalism and other disturbance of nests) which, although low, may be higher than the recruitment rate of the remaining crocodile population. In 1993, 34 nests were recorded in Florida, and the number is steadily growing.