AMERICAN CROCODILE

Text by Terence Koh Photos by

Aaron Wong

ASIA DIVE EXPO

(ADEX 2010. 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 SPEAKER),

Jim Chen

ASIA DIVE EXPO

(ADEX 2017. 2018, 2019 SPEAKER)

& Massimo Giorgetta

ADEX CHINA VOO 2018 (Team winner–wide-angle)

Although other crocodiles also have tolerance to saltwater due to the salt glands underneath their tongue, the American crocodile, which is found largely in coastal areas, is the only species other than the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) to commonly live and thrive in saltwater. Although exact data on them is poor or non-existent, conservationists agree that the American crocodile has been decimated to critical levels by illegal hunters for their hide, with the destruction of their habitats also a critical factor. While most countries in the American crocodile’s range have enacted laws to protect them, the actual enforcement of those laws is usually inadequate. Feeding on small fish, invertebrates, reptiles, birds and mammals, they are among the largest of the world’s crocodiles, with Central and South American males growing up to 6.1 metres in length.

The North American ones are usually between 2.9 and 4 metres long.