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Crocodilians are members of the taxon Crocodilia and include the crocodiles, alligators, gavials, and caimans. With some possible exceptions, crocodilians are more closely related to birds than to any other living reptile.
Crocodilians are large reptiles with powerful limbs and tails and heavy plates of bone (osteoderms) beneath the skin. All crocodilian species have webbed feet, a transparent membrane drawn across the eye underwater, nostrils at the top of the snout, and other adaptations for an aquatic lifestyle. Crocodilians also have well-developed senses of smell, sight, and hearing. Of the 23 crocodilian species that exist in the world, the American crocodile and the American alligator are native to the United States. A third species, the common caiman, is an introduced species in Florida.
American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) [Photo: Rodney Cammauf, National Park Service]
American crocodile Crocodylus acutus
Description:Males and females have armored bodies and a muscular flat tail. The strong tail helps to propel the crocodiles forward while swimming. Crocodiles have longer, more pointed snouts than alligators; also, unlike alligators, crocodiles have the fourth tooth on the lower jaw protruding from the mouth.
Habitat:Occupies lagoons, shallow lakes, coastal mangrove swamps, marshes, and other aquatic habitats. Tends to live in nonsaline waters when not breeding. Moves to more saline water when breeding.
Distribution:
Along the Caribbean coasts from southern Florida to northern South America. Also found along the Pacific Coast of Middle America.
Status:American crocodiles are severely to rapidly declining around the world. The United States protects the American crocodile as a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. One major threat to the crocodile is poaching for skins. Habitat loss is also a great threat, especially in Florida.
