Reptile Research Information » Crocodile

Where do alligators live ?

dwoo — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:39:32 +0000

American alligators live in freshwater environments, such as ponds, marshes, wetlands, rivers, lakes, and swamps, as well as brackish environments.Southern Florida is the only place where both alligators and
crocodiles live side by side. The Chinese alligator currently is found only in the Yangtze River valley and is extremely endangered, with only a few dozen believed to be left in the wild. Indeed, far more Chinese alligators live in zoos around the world than can be found in the wild. Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in southern Louisiana has several in captivity in an attempt to preserve the species. Miami Metro Zoo in Florida also has a breeding pair of beautiful Chinese alligators. The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park has successfully reproduced Chinese Alligators and been fortunate enough to release some of their offspring back into the wild in China.

Ancient Crocodile Fossils Found

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:23:38 +0000

Researchers reported today, that million of years ago, roaming through parts of northern Africa, a 20 foot long crocodile with three sets of fangs like a wild boar tusks. This creature hunted meat. Another crocodile was found nearby with a wide, flat snout like a pancake was fishing for food. And a smaller, 3 foot long relative with buckteenth was chomping plants and grubs in the same region.

“These species open a window on a croc world completely foregin to what was living in northern continents”. Researchers suggest that these crocodiles could gallop across the landscape chasing prey and yet also drive into the water that then existed in the region and swim.

The newly discovered species are:

_ Kaprosuchus saharicus, nicknamed “BoarCroc,” found in Niger. BoarCroc was a 20-foot-long meat-eater with an armored snout for ramming and three sets of dagger-shaped fangs for slicing.

_ Araripesuchus rattoides, which the researchers call “RatCroc,” found in Morocco. This 3-foot-long croc was a plant- and grub-eater with a pair of buckteeth in lower jaw it used to dig for food.

_ Laganosuchus thaumastos, or “PancakeCroc,” found in Niger and Morocco. Also 20 feet long, it was a squat fish-eater with a 3-foot pancake-flat head and spike-shaped teeth on slender jaws. Sereno said it probably remained motionless for hours, its jaws open and waiting for prey.

American Crocodile

admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:08:34 +0000

The American crocodile average lifespan is up to 70 years in the wild. The grow up to 15 feet. They weigh up to 2,000 pounds. They bask on land and float in the water.

They are considered an endangered species in most of America. Most are found in Southern Mexico, Central America, the Carribbean, and northern South America. There are also some in Southern Florida.

The prefer fresh or brackish water of river estuaries, coastal lagoons, and mangrove swamps. They are distinguishable from their cousin, the American alligator, by its longer, thinner snout, its lighter color, and two long teeth on the lower jaw that are visible when their mouth is closed.

Their diet consists mainly of small mammals, birds, fish, crabs, insects, snails, frogs, and occassionally carrion.