The shyer, narrower-snouted cousin of the alligator — and one of only two places on Earth (south Florida) where alligators and crocodiles coexist. Down to 200 individuals in the US in the 1970s, now ~2,000.

Native status: Native; threatened

§ Quick facts

SizeLength 3.0–4.5 m (10–15 ft); record over 6 m in Central America
Weight400–900 kg (880–2,000 lb)
LifespanWild 50–70 years
OrderCrocodilia
FamilyCrocodylidae

§ Encyclopedia

The American crocodile is a species of crocodilian found in the Neotropics. It is the most widespread of the four extant species of crocodiles from the Americas, with populations present from South Florida, the Caribbean islands of Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola, and the coasts of Mexico to as far south as Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela.

Source: Wikipedia — American crocodile Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Long V-shaped narrow snout (vs. broad U-shape in alligator). Lighter olive-gray; teeth visible when mouth closed.

Similar species. American Alligator (broad U-snout, no visible teeth, darker). Other crocodile species (different ranges).

Voice. Bellows, grunts. Hatchlings chirp from eggs.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Fish (primary), crabs, turtles, water birds, occasionally larger animals.

Behavior. Solitary and territorial. Tolerates saltwater (unlike American alligator). Federally listed as threatened in US since 2007.

§ Range

Southern Florida (the only US population) and from Mexico through northern South America

§ Habitat

Coastal mangroves, brackish estuaries, occasional freshwater wetlands

§ Threats

Habitat loss to coastal development, vehicle strikes on Card Sound Road, climate-driven sea-level rise, contaminants.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the american crocodile is currently classified as Vulnerable.

§ What helps

Support Everglades restoration. Maintain distance — never feed wildlife. Drive carefully through Florida Keys at night.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • USFWS American Crocodile Recovery
  • FWC
  • Croc Specialist Group
  • IUCN Red List 2018