FWS Focus

Overview

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.

Scientific Name

Crocodylus acutus
Common Name
American Crocodile
Central American Alligator
FWS Category
Reptiles
Kingdom

Location in Taxonomic Tree

Identification Numbers

TSN:

Geography

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Timeline

Explore the information available for this taxon's timeline. You can select an event on the timeline to view more information, or cycle through the content available in the carousel below.

14 Items

Listing

Listing

Critical Habitat

Critical Habitat

Critical Habitat

Listing

Listing

Recovery Plan

Five Year Review

Downlisting

Downlisting

Recovery Plan

Five Year Review

Recovery Plan

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Listing

Apr 21, 1975

Apr 21, 1975 Listing (Endangered)
Lists of Endangered and Threatened Fauna (10); 40 FR 17590 17591
  • Publication type: Proposed
Item 1

Listing

Sep 25, 1975

Sep 25, 1975 Listing (Endangered)
Lists of Endangered and Threatened Fauna; 40 FR 44149 44151
  • Publication type: Final
Item 2

Critical Habitat

Dec 16, 1975

Dec 16, 1975 Critical Habitat
Proposed Determination of Critical Habitat for Snail Darter, American Crocodile, Whooping Crane, Calโ€ฆ
  • Publication type: Proposed
Item 3

Critical Habitat

Sep 24, 1976

Sep 24, 1976 Critical Habitat
Determination of Critical Habitat for American Crocodile, California Condor, Indiana Bat, and Floridโ€ฆ
  • Publication type: Final
Item 4

Critical Habitat

Sep 22, 1977

Sep 22, 1977 Critical Habitat
Final Correction and Augumentation of Critical Habitat Reorganization; 42 FR 47840 47845
  • Publication type: Final
Item 5

Listing

Jul 24, 1979

Jul 24, 1979 Listing (Endangered)
ETWP; Proposed Listing with Endangered Status for the American Crocodile Throughout Its Range and thโ€ฆ
  • Publication type: Proposed
Item 6

Listing

Dec 18, 1979

Dec 18, 1979 Listing (Endangered)
ETWP; Listing With Endangered Status for the American Crocodile Throughout Its Range and the Saltwatโ€ฆ
  • Publication type: Final
Item 7

Recovery Plan

Apr 2, 2004

Apr 2, 2004 Recovery Plan (Document Availability (non-FR))
Notice of Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Implementation Schedule for the South Florida Mulโ€ฆ
  • Publication type: Draft
Item 8

Five Year Review

Mar 24, 2005

Mar 24, 2005 Five Year Review (Information Solicitation)
Proposed rule reclassifying the American Crocodile Distinct Population Segment in Florida From Endanโ€ฆ
  • Publication type: Notice
Item 9

Downlisting

Mar 24, 2005

Mar 24, 2005 Downlisting (Downlist Threatened)
Proposed rule reclassifying the American Crocodile Distinct Population Segment in Florida From Endanโ€ฆ
  • Publication type: Proposed
Item 10

Downlisting

Mar 20, 2007

Mar 20, 2007 Downlisting (Downlist Threatened)
Reclassification of the American Crocodile Distinct Population Segment in Florida From Endangered toโ€ฆ
  • Publication type: Final
Item 11

Recovery Plan

Mar 26, 2007

Mar 26, 2007 Recovery Plan (Document Availability (non-FR))
Notice of Availability of a Final Implementation Schedule for the South Florida Multi-Species Recoveโ€ฆ
  • Publication type: Final
Item 12

Five Year Review

Aug 6, 2018

Aug 6, 2018 Five Year Review (Information Solicitation)
5-Year Status Reviews for 42 Southeastern Species; Notice of initiation and request for information
  • Publication type: Notice
Item 13

Recovery Plan

Aug 6, 2019

Aug 6, 2019 Recovery Plan (Document Availability (non-FR))
21 Draft Recovery Plan Revisions for 43 Southeastern Species; Notice of Availability
  • Publication type: Draft
Item 14