American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)
Kingdom: Animalia
Class: Reptilia
Order: Crocodilia
Family: Crocodylidae
Listing Status: and
General Information
A large lizard-shaped reptile, the crocodile closely resembles the alligator. Hatchlings are about 23 centimeters in length; adults may grow to 4.5 meters or larger. Florida crocodiles may be distinguished from alligators by their more slender build and their difference in snout shape. The crocodile's snout tapers forward from the eyes while the alligator's snout is untapered and rounded at the end. When the mouth is closed, the fourth tooth in the lower jaw is exposed in the crocodile but concealed in the alligator. The adult crocodile's diet includes fish, crabs, birds, turtles, snakes, and small mammals. The young feed chiefly on aquatic invertebrates and small fish. As a general rule crocodilians feed on any prey items which can be caught and overpowered.
Population detail
The FWS is currently monitoring the following populations of the American crocodile
For the best experience, make sure that javascript is enabled and that you have the Adobe Flash Player installed Click here to download and install the Flash Player
Click here to see static map image
This map represents our best available information about where a species is currently known to or or is believed to occur; however, it should NOT be used as an official species list for Section 7 Consultation purposes. To obtain an official species list for this purpose, please visit the Information, Planning, and Conservation (IPaC) System (click here: http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac)
-
Population location: Entire, except U.S.A. (FL)
Listing status: Endangered
-
Population location: FL pop.
Listing status: Threatened
- States/US Territories in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: Florida
- US Counties in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: View All
- USFWS Refuges in which this population is known to occur:
CROCODILE LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, J.N. 'DING' DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
- Countries in which the this population is known to occur: Mexico
| Status | Date Listed | Lead Region | Where Listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03/20/2007 | Foreign (Region 10) | Entire, except U.S.A. (FL) | |
| 10/28/1975 | Southeast Region (Region 4) | FL pop. |
» Federal Register Documents
|
» Recovery
Recovery Plan Information Search| Date | Title | Plan Action Status | Plan Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05/18/1999 | South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan (68 spp.) | View Implementation Progress | Final |
| Date | Citation Page | Title | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03/26/2007 | 72 FR 14132 14133 | Notice of Availability of a Final Implementation Schedule for the South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan | |
| 03/24/2005 | 70 FR 15052 15063 | Proposed rule reclassifying the American Crocodile Distinct Population Segment in Florida From Endangered to Threatened and Initiation of a 5-Year Review. | |
| 04/02/2004 | 69 FR 17442 17443 | Notice of Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Implementation Schedule for the South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan |
» Critical Habitat
| Date | Citation Page | Title | Document Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/22/1977 | 42 FR 47840 47845 | Final Correction and Augumentation of Critical Habitat Reorganization; 42 FR 47840 47845 | Final Rule | Final designated |
| 09/24/1976 | 41 FR 41914 | Determination of Critical Habitat for American Crocodile, California Condor, Indiana Bat, and Florida Manatee; 41 FR 41914 (American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus, California condor, Gymnogyps californianus; Indiana bat, Myotis sodalis; Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus) | Final Rule | Final designated |
| 12/16/1975 | 40 FR 58308 58312 | Proposed Determination of Critical Habitat for Snail Darter, American Crocodile, Whooping Crane, California Condor, Indiana Bat, and Florida Manatee; 40 FR 58308 58312 (Percina (Imostoma) sp., Crocodylus acutus, Grus americana, Gymnogyps californicus, Myotis sodalis, Trichechus manatus) | Proposed Rule | Not Required |
To learn more about critical habitat please see http://criticalhabitat.fws.gov
» Conservation Plans
No conservation plans have been created for American crocodile
» Petitions
No petition findings have been published for the American crocodile.
» Life History
No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species.
» Other Resources
NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.
ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.
