Species Profile
Environmental Conservation Online System

American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)

Kingdom: Animalia
Class: Reptilia
Order: Crocodilia
Family: Crocodylidae

Listing Status:    and  

General Information

A large lizard-shaped reptile, the crocodile closely resembles the alligator. Hatchlings are about 23 centimeters in length; adults may grow to 4.5 meters or larger. Florida crocodiles may be distinguished from alligators by their more slender build and their difference in snout shape. The crocodile's snout tapers forward from the eyes while the alligator's snout is untapered and rounded at the end. When the mouth is closed, the fourth tooth in the lower jaw is exposed in the crocodile but concealed in the alligator. The adult crocodile's diet includes fish, crabs, birds, turtles, snakes, and small mammals. The young feed chiefly on aquatic invertebrates and small fish. As a general rule crocodilians feed on any prey items which can be caught and overpowered.

Population detail

The FWS is currently monitoring the following populations of the American crocodile 

  • Population location: Entire, except U.S.A. (FL)
    Listing status:  Endangered
  • Population location: FL pop.
    Listing status:  Threatened
    • States/US Territories in which this population is known to occur:  Florida
    • USFWS Refuges in which this population is known to occur:  CROCODILE LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE , J.N. 'DING' DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE , TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
    • Countries in which the this population is known to occur:  Mexico
Current Listing Status Summary
Status Date Listed Lead Region Where Listed
03/20/2007 Foreign (Region 10) Entire, except U.S.A. (FL)
10/28/1975 Southeast Region (Region 4) FL pop.

» Federal Register Documents

Most Recent Federal Register Documents (Showing 5 of 11 : view all)
Date Citation Page Title
03/26/2007 72 FR 14132 14133 Notice of Availability of a Final Implementation Schedule for the South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan
03/20/2007 71 FR 13027 13041 Reclassification of the American Crocodile Distinct Population Segment in Florida From Endangered to Threatened; Final rule.
03/24/2005 70 FR 15052 15063 Proposed rule reclassifying the American Crocodile Distinct Population Segment in Florida From Endangered to Threatened and Initiation of a 5-Year Review.
04/02/2004 69 FR 17442 17443 Notice of Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Implementation Schedule for the South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan
12/18/1979 44 FR 75074 75076 ETWP; Listing With Endangered Status for the American Crocodile Throughout Its Range and the Saltwater Crocodile Exclusive of the Papua New Guinea Population.

» Recovery

Recovery Plan Information Search
Current Recovery Plan(s)
Date Title Plan Action Status Plan Status
05/18/1999 South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan (68 spp.) View Implementation Progress Final
Other Recovery Documents (Showing 3 of 3 )
Date Citation Page Title Document Type
03/26/2007 72 FR 14132 14133 Notice of Availability of a Final Implementation Schedule for the South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan
  • Notice Recovery Plan Avail.
    • 03/24/2005 70 FR 15052 15063 Proposed rule reclassifying the American Crocodile Distinct Population Segment in Florida From Endangered to Threatened and Initiation of a 5-Year Review.
  • Notice 5-year Review, Initiation
  • Proposed Reclassify, Downlist threatened
    • 04/02/2004 69 FR 17442 17443 Notice of Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Implementation Schedule for the South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan
  • Notice Draft Recovery Plan Availability

    • » Critical Habitat

    Current Critical Habitat Documents (Showing 3 of 3 )
    Date Citation Page Title Document Type Status
    09/22/1977 42 FR 47840 47845 Final Correction and Augumentation of Critical Habitat Reorganization; 42 FR 47840 47845 Final Rule Active
    09/24/1976 41 FR 41914 Determination of Critical Habitat for American Crocodile, California Condor, Indiana Bat, and Florida Manatee; 41 FR 41914 (American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus, California condor, Gymnogyps californianus; Indiana bat, Myotis sodalis; Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus) Final Rule Active
    12/16/1975 40 FR 58308 58312 Proposed Determination of Critical Habitat for Snail Darter, American Crocodile, Whooping Crane, California Condor, Indiana Bat, and Florida Manatee; 40 FR 58308 58312 (Percina (Imostoma) sp., Crocodylus acutus, Grus americana, Gymnogyps californicus, Myotis sodalis, Trichechus manatus) Proposed Rule Not Required

    To learn more about critical habitat please see http://criticalhabitat.fws.gov

    » Conservation Plans

    No conservation plans have been created for American crocodile

    » Petitions

    No petition findings have been published for the American crocodile.

    » Life History

    No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species.

    » Other Resources

    NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

    ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.

    Last updated: November 22, 2009