AMERICAN CROCODILE Crocodylus acutus (Cuvier) 



Order: CROCODILIA Family: CROCODYLIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : Huge, rough-backed reptile with a sharp, pointed snout, 

 snout width much less than width of head between eyes; 4th tooth in lower jaw exposed, 

 does not fit into notch in upper jaw when mouth is closed. 



Present distribution: South Florida and Florida Keys; Hispaniola, Jamaica, Cuba; 

 Pacific Coast from Sinaloa to Ecuador; Atlantic coasts from Yucatan to Columbia. Much 

 reduced in Florida to limited sections of southernmost areas and keys . 



Former distribution : Same, except more widespread in Florida. 



Status : In jeopardy in the United States, and perhaps throughout its range. According 

 to Carr, declining slowly in Florida. In protected areas, probably slowly increasing. 

 It is regarded as in peril throughout its range in the lUCN Red Book, Vol. 3, 1968. 



Estimated numbers : Unknown . 



Breeding rate in the wild : Once a year; 20 to 60 eggs per female. 



Reasons for decline : Killed for skins; destruction of habitat; frequent hatching failures 

 (WBR); sometimes killed as nuisance on docks and boat basins (WBR) . 



Protective measures already taken : Protected by law in Everglades since 1950, both 

 Federal and State Regulations (Oliver, 1955, p. 58). The Everglades National Park 

 provides an essential sanctuary. Legally protected in Mexico, Columbia, and Peru, 

 although enforcement is lax. A sanctuary exists in Cuba. 



Measures proposed : A thorough life history and populational study is needed to give 

 information on which protection can be based. 



Number in captivity : Most zoos and aquaria have specimens from Tropical America; 

 North American specimens make up the majority of specimens displayed at Everglades 

 Wonder Gardens . 



Breeding potential in captivity : Probably good, if suitable material and space are 

 provided (WBR) . 



References : 



lUCN Red Data Book. 'l968. Vol. 3, Code No.: R/14 CROCO/INT. 



Moore, J. 1940. The crocodile in Everglades National Park of Florida, Univ. of 



Florida Publ. 

 Oliver, J. 1955. Natural history of North American amphibians and reptiles. 

 Robertson, W. B. (pers . comm . ) . 



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