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CREDIT: J. ROSS WILCOX 



AMERICAN CROCODILE 



(Crocodylus acutus Cuvier) 



KINGDOM Animalia 



CLASS Reptilia 



ORDER Crocodylia 



FAMILY Crocodylidae 



OTHER COMMON 



NAMES Florida crocodile 



DATES 



Entered into SWIS to be determined 



Updates 20 September 1976; 8 March 1977 



LEGAL STATUS 



Federal! Endangered (Florida populations only) 

 (40 FR 44149, 25 September 1975). 



States: Endangered: Florida. 



REASONS FOR CURRENT STATUS 



Loss of habitat due to urbanization of south 

 Florida; habitat loss is not all physical alteration, 

 but includes reduction in suitability of remaining 

 habitats through increased human recreational 

 and other uses (Ogden 1979). 



Excessive mortality occurs through malicious 

 and ill-advised killing by humans and through 

 accidental deaths in commercial fishing nets and 

 on highways (Lang 1975). 



Heavy predation on hatchlings in Florida Bay, 

 primarily by raccoons, is believed to be hampering 

 recruitment (Lang 1975). 



PRIORITY INDEX 



Not assigned. 



