American Crocodile

Crocodylus acutus

Status in the Wild: Endangered

Range: Central and South America, through New Mexico, the larger islands of the West Indies and the southern tip of the peninsula of Florida.

Habitat: Crocodiles prefer to live in brackish or salty water.

Length: Seven to 12 feet.

Adaptations: Crocodiles, like other aquatic animals, have anatomical adaptations for their aquatic existence. The nostrils are located on the top of the snout along with the eyes and ears, so they are able to stay partly submerged in the water and still breath, hear and see. Like the otter, the crocodilians have valves which close off the nostrils and ear openings when they submerge under the water. Also, a flange closes in the back of the throat, allowing them to swallow food underwater without drowning.

Reproduction: All forms of crocodilians are egg-layers. A female crocodile will bury her eggs on a sandy beach and allow the heat of the sun to incubate them. She will lay about 30 to 50 eggs and will closely guard them until she hears the peeping of her young about to hatch. The young crocodiles will usually begin to make sounds three days before they hatch.

Different from Alligators: Structurally, the crocodile is easily distinguished from the alligator. The snout of a crocodile is narrow and pointed, whereas the alligator’s snout is wide and rounded at the end. The fourth tooth on the lower jaw of the crocodile fits into a groove in its upper jaw and is visible even when the mouth is closed. In the alligator, the upper row of teeth is placed outside the lower row. When the mouth is closed, usually only the upper teeth show.