American Crocodile

American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is a species of crocodile found in Neotropic. This is the most extensive of the four extant species of crocodiles from the Americas. Populations occur from the Atlantic and Pacific coast of southern Mexico to South America as far as Peru and Venezuela. It also lives in many river systems in Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola. In the United States, the American crocodile habitat is limited to the southern part of Florida, and has an estimated population of 2,000. American crocodile habitat consists mainly of coastal areas. This is larger than some other crocodile species, with some males reach a length of 6.1 m (20 ft).

Like all crocodiles, American crocodiles are quadruped, with four short, unfold the legs, tail, strong long and scaly hide with rows of stiff Scutes flowing back and tail. Elongated nozzle and including a pair of strong jaws. His eyes were pengerjap membranes for protection along with the tear glands, which produce tears.

Nostrils, eyes, and ears are situated on the top of his head, so that the entire body can be concealed underwater for surprise attacks. Camouflage also helps that prey on food. Relatively long and narrow snout of the American alligator, despite wide average compared to the Orinoco crocodile. American crocodiles are also paler and more gray than dark-colored crocodile relative. This species usually crocodile crawling on belly, but also can "walk tall". Larger specimens can fill up to 10 mph (16 km / h). They can swim at 20 mph (32 km / h) by moving their body and tail with a meandering way, but they could not maintain this speed.

American crocodiles are more vulnerable to cold than American alligators. While American crocodiles can survive in water from 7.2 ° C (45.0 ° F) for some time, an American alligator in an environment that will be helpless and lost. American Crocodile, however, have a faster growth rate than alligators, and far more tolerant of salt water.

Clean symbiosis involving American alligator as the customer has paid. Unlike the Old World crocodiles which are sometimes cleared of parasites by birds, the American crocodile relies more on fish to remove parasites.

Tukik newborn about 22 cm (8.7 in) long and about 60 g (2 oz) in mass. The average adult is 4.3 m (14 feet) and weighs 382 kg (840 lb) in males, and 3 m (9.8 ft) and 173 kg (380 lb) in females.

In Tarcoles River in Costa Rica, tens of four meters and five meters in some individuals crossing the bridge often (where they eat every day, which may have helped them achieve the consistent large size) and is a popular tourist attraction. In Florida they range, adult length has been recorded as high as 5.2 m (17 feet), but the adult male average size of 4.3 m (14 feet) long. This species is said to grow largest in the river valley in South America, but even the old man who rarely reach 6 m (20 ft). A skull of this species is found to measure 72.6 cm (28.6 in) and is estimated to have been owned by a crocodile than 6.6 m (22 feet) long. Large, regular adult male weighs around 400-500 kg (880-1100 lb), with individuals from six meters or more than 1,000 kg (2,200 lb).

The main victims of American crocodiles' whole life was a fish, a relatively narrow snout is this preference indication piscivorous. Almost every fish found in freshwater through brackish water coastal habitats is a potential victim. In Florida, bass, tarpon and especially mullet seems to be the main victims. From the American crocodile snout is broader than some fish eater crocodile specific (ie gharials, freshwater crocodiles, etc.), which allows for a complete diet with a wider variety of prey. Prey species have ranged in size from insects taken by young crocodiles to full-grown cattle taken by large adults, and can include a variety of birds, mammals, turtles, crabs, snails, frogs, and occasionally carrion. Crocodile American adults have no natural predators and almost all riparian land animals or they face is a potential victim. Apparently, the alligator hunting, especially in the first few hours after nightfall, especially on a moonless night, although they will feed at any time