American Crocodiles hunt their food by staying very still in the water, motionless. When their prey gets close to them, they jump out of the water and drown them. They eat crabs, birds, turtles, snakes, fish, frogs, and small mammals like pigs. They live in South Florida in saltwater areas and can be found in creeks, ponds, coves, and mangrove swamps.

The American Alligator eats fish, snails, birds, frogs, and mammals that come to the water’s edge. They live in Florida’s marshes, swamps, rivers, and lakes.

American Crocodile: Federally Threatened

The American Crocodile is threatened with only 2,000 left. This is due to habitat loss caused by wetlands being drained and more people building houses near lakes. It would be bad if they went extinct because they are important predators in the ecosystem.

The American Alligator is not endangered or threatened, but they are protected because they and the American Crocodile look very much alike. Isn’t that interesting?

How You Can Help the American Crocodile and Alligator

What can you do to help? Leave them alone and avoid swimming in their waters. Clean up around swamps and rivers, make sure to keep a distance though!

Thanks for reading!