American Crocodile

American crocodile
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American crocodile |
|
Conservation status |

Vulnerable (IUCN 2.3)[1] |
Scientific classification |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Branch: | Crocodylomorpha |
Order: | Crocodylia |
Family: | Crocodylidae |
Subfamily: | Crocodylinae |
Genus: |Crocodylus |
Species: | C. acutus |
Binomial name |
Crocodylus acutus
Cuvier, 1807 |
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Terrestrial range (green) |
Synonyms |
* Crocodylus americanus?
Laurenti, 1768 * Lacerta alligator?
Blumenbach, 1779 * Crocodylus caudiverbera?
Bonnaterre, 1789 * Crocodylus floridanus
Hornaday, 1875 |
The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is a species of crocodilian found in theNeotropics. It is the most widespread of the four extant species of crocodiles from the Americas. Populations occur from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of southern Mexico to South America as far as Peru and Venezuela. It also lives within many river systems on Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola. Within the United States of America, the American crocodile's habitat is limited to the southern half ofFlorida, and has an estimated population of 2,000. The habitat of the American crocodile consists largely of coastal areas. It is larger than some other crocodile species, with some males reaching lengths of 6.1 metres (20 ft) in Central America and South America.
Contents * 1 Description * 1.1 Cleaning symbiosis * 1.2 Size * 1.3 Diet * 2 Breeding * 3 Range and distribution *4 Systematics * 5 Conservation status * 6 Interaction with human beings * 7 See also * 8 References * 9 External links * 9.1 Media |
Description

An American crocodile hatchling in Colombia
Like all crocodilians, the American crocodile is a quadruped, with four short, splayed legs, a long, powerful tail and a scaly hide with rows of ossified scutes running down its back andtail.[2] Its snout is elongated and includes a strong pair of jaws. Its eyes have nictitating membranes for protection along with lachrymal glands, which produce tears.
The nostrils, eyes, and ears are situated on the top of its head, so the rest of the body can be concealed underwater for surprise attacks.[2] Camouflage also helps them prey on food. The snout is relatively longer and narrower thanthat of the American alligator, although broader on average than that of the Orinoco crocodile.[3] American crocodiles are also paler and more grayish than the relatively dark-hued alligator. This crocodile species normally crawls on its belly, but it can also "high walk".[4] Larger specimens can charge up to 10 miles per hour (16 km/h).[5] They can swim at as much as 20 miles per hour (32 km/h)by moving their bodies and tails in a sinuous fashion, but they cannot sustain this speed.[6]
American crocodiles are more susceptible to cold than American alligators.[7] While an American alligator can survive in water of 7.2 °C (45.0 °F) for some time, an American crocodile in that environment would become helpless and drown.[2] American crocodiles, however, have a faster growth rate thanalligators, and are much more tolerant of salt water.[2]
Cleaning symbiosis
Cleaning symbiosis involving the American crocodile as client has been described. Unlike the Old World crocodiles which are sometimes cleared of parasites by birds, the American crocodile relies more on fish for parasite removal.[2]
Size
Newborn hatchlings are about 22 centimetres (8.7 in) in length and about 60 grams(2 oz) in mass.[8][9] The average adult is 4 metres (13 ft) long and weighs 382 kilograms (840 lb) in males, and 3 metres (9.8 ft) and 173 kilograms (380 lb) in females.[10][11]
In the Tárcoles River in Costa Rica, dozens of four-meter and a few five-meter individuals frequent bridge crossings (where they are fed daily, which may have helped them reach such consistently large sizes) and are a...