American crocodile
New World croc
The American crocodile is a large reptile native to coastal areas of the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America.
Distinguished from alligators by its narrower snout and visible lower teeth when the mouth is closed, it inhabits saltwater and brackish environments: American crocodiles are more tolerant of salt water than alligators.
Plates or weighing devices
- ectothermicTemperature set by surroundings
- cold-bloodedUnfeeling or externally heated
- herpetologyStudy of reptiles, amphibians
- oviparousReproducing through external eggs
eggs · clutch · hatchlings · snout · scutes · tail · limbs · claws
Defensive about owned space
- baskingWarming oneself pleasantly
- nocturnalActive during darkness
- solitaryExisting alone, apart
- nestingMaking a dwelling
maternal · vocalizations · bellowing · courtship · mating · migration · burrowing · thermoregulation
Salt-water coastal trees
- estuariesRiver-sea meeting points
- coastalOf the shoreline
- brackishMildly salty water
- swampsWaterlogged forested wetlands
wetlands · Florida · Caribbean · Mexico · Everglades · lagoons · rivers · saltwater
At risk of extinction
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- CITESWildlife trade agreement
- protectedKept from harm
habitat loss · Endangered Species Act · population · monitoring · wildlife refuge · breeding program · poaching · coexistence
scales
Plates or weighing devices
- ectothermicTemperature set by surroundings
- cold-bloodedUnfeeling or externally heated
- herpetologyStudy of reptiles, amphibians
oviparous · eggs · clutch · hatchlings · snout · scutes · tail · limbs · claws · alligator
territorial
Defensive about owned space
nesting · maternal · vocalizations · bellowing · courtship · mating · migration · burrowing · thermoregulation · aggressive
mangroves
Salt-water coastal trees
swamps · wetlands · Florida · Caribbean · Mexico · Everglades · lagoons · rivers · saltwater · freshwater
endangered
At risk of extinction
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- CITESWildlife trade agreement
protected · habitat loss · Endangered Species Act · population · monitoring · wildlife refuge · breeding program · poaching · coexistence · management
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
jaws · teeth · attack · lurking · strike · submerged · patient · opportunistic · fish · turtles
American, crocodile, America, Americans, Americanism, Americanize, Americanization, crocodiles, crocodilian