In Manatee Springs at the Cincinnati Zoo.
The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) population plummeted during the mid-1900s due to unregulated hunting for its hide. Although the population is slowly recovering thanks to restrictions on hunting, habitat loss poses a major challenge to their survival.
Facts[]
- Where to see them: Southern Florida, Central America, and northern South America
- Length: 7 to 15 ft
- Weight: 150 to 450 lbs
- Lifespan: 60 to 70 yrs
- Habitat: Coastal waters and wetlands
- Diet: Fish, turtles, crabs, birds, and other aquatic animals
- Risk Status: Species at Risk (IUCN—Vulnerable)