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| Crocodile |
 |
 Scientific
Name: |
| Crocodylus acutus |
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| Status: |
| Endangered |
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| Gestation: |
| About 90 days |
|
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| Longevity:
Estimated
at 70-90 years |
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| Threats:
Hunting and habitat destruction |
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The American Crocodile
is part of a small but continuous crocodile population
which represents the northern most extent of the range
of the American crocodile. In 1993, 34 nests were recorded
in Florida, and the number is steadily growing. There
are approximately 500 to 800 American crocodiles in Florida.
These reptiles are also found in Central and South America.
They are also considered one of the country's most endangered
species and it is against the law to harm or kill them.
The American crocodile is gray in color with a pointed
snout, and feed on fish. Crocodiles have slim linear pupils,
like cat's -- the pupil of the crocodile's eye closes
to a narrow slit in bright light. American crocodiles
are less aggressive than the Nile and Australian crocodiles,
so they are rarely seen by humans. While crocodiles are
not vicious animals and will usually shyly leave when
approached by man, they are strong and powerful and can
move rapidly, especially in water. It is well to respect
them and keep a safe distance.
Today, poaching and the loss of habitat to human development
are the greatest threats faced by American crocodiles,
though they were once hunted exclusively for their hides. |
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Current
USFWS Listed Crocodiles
|
Common
Name |
Scientific
Name |
Status
|
Current
Range
|
|
American
Crocodile |
Crocodylus
acutus |
E
|
Florida,
Mexico,
West Indies, Central &
South America |
|
African
slender-snouted crocodile |
Crocodylus
cataphractus |
E
|
Western
and Central Africa |
|
Orinoco
crocodile |
Crocodylus
intermedius |
E
|
South
America: Orinoco
River Basin
|
|
Morelet's
crocodile |
Crocodylus
moreletii |
E
|
Belize,
Guatemala, Mexico
|
|
Nile
crocodile |
Crocodylus
niloticus |
T
|
Africa,Middle East |
|
Philippine
crocodile |
Crocodylus
novaeguineae mindorensis
|
E
|
Philippines
|
|
Ceylon
mugger crocodile |
Crocodylus
palustris kimbula
|
E
|
Sri
Lanka |
|
Mugger
crocodile |
Crocodylus
palustris palustris
|
E
|
Bangladesh,
India,
Iran,
Pakistan
|
|
Saltwater
crocodile |
Crocodylus
porosus |
E,
T |
E=Southeast
Asia, Pacific
Islands;
T=Australia
|
|
Cuban
crocodile |
Crocodylus
rhombifer |
E
|
Cuba
|
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Siamese
crocodile |
Crocodylus
siamensis |
E
|
Southeast
Asia, Malay Peninsula
|
|
Congo
dwarf crocodile |
Osteolaemus
tetraspis osborni
|
E
|
Congo
River drainage |
|
African
dwarf crocodile |
Osteolaemus
tetraspis tetraspis
|
E
|
West
Africa |
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