American Crocodile

American Crocodile Description

• The American crocodile has a V-shaped snout.
• The crocodile generally moves on its belly but it can also high walk.
• The largest population is in Costa Rica.
• American crocodiles are extremely vulnerable to cold temperatures.

Size & Weight

Male:

• TOTAL-LENGTH: 2.9 to 4 m (9 ft 6 in to 13 ft 1 in)
• WEIGHT: 382 kg (842 lb)

Female:

• TOTAL-LENGTH: 2.5 to 3 m (8 ft 2 in to 9 ft 10 in)
• WEIGHT: 173 kg (381 lb)

Hatchlings:

• LENGTH: 27 cm (10.6 in)
• WEIGHT: 60 g (2.1 oz)

Large Specimen:

• TOTAL LENGTH: 5 to 5.5 m (16 ft 5 in to 18 ft 1 in)
• WEIGHT: 1000 kg (2,200 lb)

Habitat

Mangrove swamps, fresh water, salt lake, river mouths

Range

Southern Florida, southern Mexico, Caribbean islands, Greater Antilles, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela

Diet

Birds, mammals, snails, turtles, crabs, carrion, frogs, fiddler crabs, mullet, opossums, heron, flamingos, grebes, moorhens, pelicans, coots, storks

Reproduction

30 – 70 eggs

Eggs Size

• LENGTH: 8 cm (3.1 in)
• WIDTH: 5 cm (2.0 in)

Incubation Period

75 – 80 days

Hatching Period

July to August

Mating Period

January to February

Gestation Period

2 – 3 months

Sexual Maturity

8 – 10 years

Population

1,000 – 2,000

Lifespan

45 years

Swimming Speed

20 mph (32 km/h)

Conservation Status

Vulnerable