American Crocodile

Fast Facts

Type: Reptile
Diet: Carnivore
Average lifespan in the wild: Up to 70 years
Size: Up to 15 ft (4.6 m)
Weight: Up to 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Group name: Bask (on land) or float (in water)

Did you know? One of the largest known populations of American crocodiles is in the Dominican Republic's Lago Enriquillo, a landlocked, hypersaline lake located about 131 feet (40 meters) below sea level.

Protection status: Endangered

The American crocodile is considered an endangered species in nearly all parts of its North, Central, and South American range. Survey data, except in the United States, is poor or nonexistent, but conservationists agree that illegal hunting and habitat depletion has reduced populations of this wide-ranging reptile to critical levels.

A small, remnant population lives in southern Florida, but most are found in southern Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. Their habitat of choice is the fresh or brackish water of river estuaries, coastal lagoons, and mangrove swamps.

A prehistoric-looking creature, it is distinguishable from its cousin, the American alligator, by its longer, thinner snout, its lighter color, and two long teeth on the lower jaw that are visible when its mouth is closed.

This species is among the largest of the world's crocodiles, with Central and South American males reaching lengths of up to 20 feet (6.1 meters). Males in the U.S. population rarely exceed 13 feet (4 meters), however.

Their diet consists mainly of small mammals, birds, fish, crabs, insects, snails, frogs, and occasionally carrion. They have been known to attack people, but are far more likely to flee at the sight of humans.

Most countries in the American crocodile's range have passed protection laws, but unfortunately, few governments provide adequate enforcement.

Nile Crocodile Profile

Fast Facts

Type: Reptile
Diet: Carnivore Average lifespan in the wild: 45 years (estimated)
Size: 16 ft (5 m)
Weight: 500 lbs (225 kg)
Group name: Bask (on land) or float (in water)

Did you know? Mummified crocodiles and crocodile eggs have been discovered in Egyptian tombs.

Protection status: Endangered

The Nile crocodile has a somewhat deserved reputation as a vicious man-eater. The proximity of much of its habitat to people means run-ins are frequent. Firm numbers are sketchy, but estimates are that up to 200 people may die each year in the jaws of a Nile croc.

Africa's largest crocodilian, these primordial brutes reach a maximum size of about 20 feet (6 meters) and can weigh up to 1,650 pounds (730 kilograms). Average sizes, though, are more in the range of 16 feet (5 meters) and 500 pounds (225 kilograms). They live throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the Nile Basin, and Madagascar in rivers, freshwater marshes, & mangrove swamps.

Their diet is mainly fish, but it will attack almost anything unfortunate enough to cross its path. It will also scavenge carrion, & can eat up to half its body weight at a feeding.

One unusual characteristic of this fearsome predator is its caring nature as a parent. Mother & father Nile crocs ferociously guard their nests until the eggs hatch, & they will often roll the eggs gently in their mouths to help hatching babies emerge.

Crocodile chomps off zoo worker's arm

A zoo worker from Taipei, Chang Po-yu had his forearm reattached on Thursday after being severed from the mouth of a 17-year-old 440-pound Nile crocodile.

The verterinarian tried to retrieve a tranquilizer dart from the crocodile's hide but failed to notice the crocodile was not fully anesthetized when he stuck his arm through an iron rail to medicate it.

As Chang was rushed to the hospital on Wednesday 11.04.07, a zoo worker shot 2 bullets at the crocodile's neck to retrieve the forearm.

The crocodile was unharmed as they didn't find any bullet holes on its hide & probably was shocked & opened its mouth to let go of the limb.

The zoo purchased the crocodile from a local resident who had kept it as a pet.