Knowra American crocodile American crocodile The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is a large crocodilian native to the Americas, ranging from southern Florida and the Caribbean through Central America to northern South America. It inhabits coastal waters, estuaries, and other brackish or freshwater habitats.
Crocodilia : The order of reptiles that includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials. The American crocodile is one living member of this reptile order.
Everglades National Park : A protected subtropical wetland region in southern Florida. The park protects important American crocodile habitat in the United States.
American alligator : A large crocodilian native to the southeastern United States and parts of China. It shares southern Florida with the American crocodile but is an alligator, not a true crocodile.
IUCN Red List : A global assessment system that classifies species' extinction risk. Its assessments track the American crocodile's conservation status across its range.
Crocodylus acutus : The scientific name of the American crocodile, a crocodilian species native to the Americas. This binomial identifies the species treated on this page.
Crocodylidae : The family of true crocodiles, distinct from alligators, caimans, and gharials. This species belongs to the family of true crocodiles.
Florida Bay : A shallow lagoon between the Florida mainland and the Florida Keys. Its mangrove shorelines and estuaries support crocodiles and their prey.
Morelet's crocodile : A crocodile species native to freshwater habitats of Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. It occupies part of the American crocodile's broader Central American range.
Endangered Species Act of 1973 : A United States law providing for the conservation of threatened and endangered species and their habitats. Federal protection helped address population declines in the United States.
Florida crocodile recovery : The increase and geographic expansion of American crocodiles in Florida following protection and habitat conservation. Florida illustrates a documented population recovery within the species' range.
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