Overview

The American Crocodile is found primarily in coastal areas, river estuaries, lagoons, and mangrove swamps in tropical and subtropical regions. Its geographic range stretches from southern Florida in the United States, through Central America, including Belize, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama, and into northern South America, including Colombia and Venezuela. The species exhibits remarkable adaptability to both freshwater and brackish water environments, although it is rarely found in fully marine conditions. It is typically associated with areas that provide a combination of shallow basking spots, deep water refuges, and abundant prey. Mangrove forests are particularly important as they provide nesting sites for females and cover for juveniles. Habitat selection is influenced by temperature, salinity, water depth, and prey availability. Historically, the American Crocodile had a broader range throughout the Caribbean and parts of Central and South America. Habitat degradation, human encroachment, and hunting have caused fragmentation and population declines. Urban development along coastlines, wetland drainage, and pollution have reduced suitable habitats significantly, resulting in isolated populations that are vulnerable to environmental fluctuations. In areas such as southern Florida and certain protected regions in Central America, conservation efforts, including habitat restoration and protective legislation, have stabilized populations, demonstrating the species' resilience under proper management.

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