Range

American crocodiles can be found across North, Central and South America. Here they can be found throughout the following countries: Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, United States of America and Venezuela.

In the United States of America their range is limited to a small population in Florida.

Habitat

They make their home in brackish, fresh or salt water and they can be found in ponds, coves, rivers, lakes, creeks and mangrove swamps. With the expansion of human habitations they have moved in to reservoirs.

American crocodiles form a burrow that can be used if water levels are low. They can also be used during cold weather and to hide. Its entrance is typically underwater or slightly submerged.

Reproduction

Courting starts in January and continues until the breeding season in April and May. Males will develop a territory and defend their rights to mate with the females in this area aggressively. These males roar to attract females and the female will reply with her own roar.

Following a successful mating the female will build a nest where she can deposit 30-60 eggs. This nest is formed from soil and placed above the highest tide to ensure it does not flood.

Eggs hatch after a 85 day incubation. During the incubation the female protects the nest though American crocodile females are one of the most timid crocodiles and are easily frightened away from their nest. She may leave the eggs in the early stages of incubation though returns close to the hatching time.

Younger crocodiles are a lighter tan color when compared to adults.

The gender of the hatchling is dependent on the temperature at which they incubate. At lower temperatures the hatchlings will mostly be females and at high temperatures they are mostly males.

Females dig open the nest when the young hatch and she may carry them down to the water. Within the first few days after hatching she will leave them alone.

For the first two weeks of life they will survive on leftover yolk. They then transition to mostly eating insects.

Hatchlings face a range of predators including raccoons, coatis, birds and crabs. Adults will also cannibalize the young. Infant mortality is high and as few as 1 in 4 will live to be an adult.

Sexual maturity is tied to length. It is reached between 1.8 and 2.4m (5.9-7.9ft) long. This length is typically reached between 8 and 10 years old.

Behavior

American crocodiles are solitary and spend their time alone. They become quite aggressive if another crocodile enters their territory.

During the day crocodiles can be seen out of the water basking in the sun. While they do this they will ‘gape’ which is where they sit with the mouth open. This helps them to regulate their own body temperature.

They can make a range of roars to communicate. Another method of communication is slapping the water with their head and tail.

Predators and Threats

As an adult the American crocodile represents the apex predator in their environment and has no natural predators.

Humans hunted the American crocodile in large numbers through until their protection in the 1970s. Some illegal hunting still takes place.

Their population also suffers as a result of habitat destruction, vehicle strike and overfishing leading to a loss of their food.

Quick facts

The brain and heart of a crocodile is more advanced than those of any other reptile.