Nature & Ecology

The American Crocodile
Source: Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo OCV

One of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo’s natural attractions in terms of fauna are the crocodiles. Their primary habitats are estuaries and the lakes on the golf courses as well as the estuary of “La Ropa” beach. Another spot where a great number of crocodiles are concentrated is the mouth of the so-called “El Popoyote” estuary that is located between the Hotel Qualton and “Linda” beach.

The American Crocodile, classification: Crocodilia in the Crocodylidae family is found in tropical coastal zones of the American continent. Found on the Pacific coast from Mexico south to Ecuador, and on the Atlantic coast from South Florida to Colombia.

Crocodiles are large reptiles with short legs, a long tail and a long and narrow snout. (The differences between crocodiles and alligators are easiest to note in the snout, alligators have short shovel-shaped snouts, crocodiles long and narrow.) They normally have a greenish gray back and light-colored belly. Even with their mouths closed some of their teeth can be clearly seen. The neck, trunk and tail are covered on the upper part with an armor of bony scales. The tail is very strong and laterally compressed. The back toes are joined by membranes. Their habitat is in Mangroves, lagoons, estuaries and swamps of humid and warm coastal zones.

They are very well-adapted carnivorous predators that feed on fish, crabs, seabirds, mammals and small turtles as well as other smaller-sized crocodiles. Expert hunters, they trap their prey either through surprise attacks, chasing it or using their tails to direct it to their mouths. Primarily water-dwelling the majority of the victims are drowned and eaten afterwards. Normally crocodiles do not attack humans unless they are injured or feel disturbed while caring for their young. Males may emit grunts. They may ingest stones that serve them as ballast, allowing them to stay submerged. Crocodiles are reptiles with the most advanced brain and physiology since they have a heart with four chambers and their senses are well developed. Like all reptiles, they are cold blooded, which means that their body temperature depends on their environment. For this reason they leave the water in order to get warmed up by the sun and return when it gets too hot or during the night when the water is warmer than the air.

The females of this species lay between 20 and 60 eggs in one nest during the dry season so that the young hatch 90 days later during the rainy season when they will have plenty of food like insects, frogs and crustaceans. The adults take care of the young for some time, which is unique among reptiles and confirm the crocodiles’ affinity to birds. They can measure up to six meters in length.

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