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Crocodiles of Zihuatanejo

ORDER CROCODYLIA

American Crocodile

Crocodylus acutus

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Reptiles (Class Reptilia)

-Crocodilians (Order Crocodylia)

-Crocodiles (Family Crocodylidae)

-Typical Crocodiles (Genus Crocodylus)

-American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)


The American Crocodile is found in brackish, fresh, and coastal marine water environments including cays, small islands, brackish lakes, lagoons, and mangrove swamps in tropical areas with distinct rainy seasons. They are omnivores that consume everything from insects to terrestrial animals that they encounter which includes birds, carrion, crabs, frogs, opossums, racoons, snails, turtles, and even domestic animals such as fully grown cattle, dogs, goats, and pigs. They have land speeds of up to 16 km per hour and swimming speeds of up to 32 km per hour. They are lie-in-wait ambush predators that utilize camouflage.

Diet

  • An opportunistic carnivore that feeds primarily on fish, but also consumes crabs, shrimp, turtles, snakes, waterbirds, small mammals, and carrion.

  • Juveniles feed mainly on aquatic insects, crustaceans, small fish, and frogs before progressing to larger prey as they grow.

  • Hunts by ambushing prey from the water's edge or while floating nearly submerged, using a rapid sideways strike of its powerful jaws.

Range

  • Found from southern Florida through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of northern South America to Peru and Venezuela.

  • In Mexico, it occurs along both the Pacific and Gulf coasts, including the Zihuatanejo region of Guerrero, where it is a regular resident of suitable coastal wetlands.

  • It is the largest native crocodilian in Mexico.

Habitat

  • Primarily inhabits coastal lagoons, mangrove swamps, estuaries, river mouths, tidal creeks, coastal rivers, marshes, and brackish wetlands.

  • Unlike many crocodilians, it is highly tolerant of saltwater and frequently moves between marine and freshwater environments.

  • Nests on sandy riverbanks, beaches, canal levees, or elevated banks near water during the dry season.

Size

  • Male: 4–5 m (13–16.5 ft), exceptionally to 6 m (20 ft)

  • Female: 2.5–3.5 m (8–11.5 ft)

  • Weight:

    • Male: 400–700 kg (880–1,540 lb), exceptionally up to 900 kg (2,000 lb)

    • Female: 100–250 kg (220–550 lb)

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