Species Spotlight: American Crocodile
Common name: American Crocodile
Scientific name: Crocodylus acutus
Range: From the United States (Florida) down through Central America to southern Ecuador
Conservation status: Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List
INFORMATION
The American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is a large Crocodilian species found in the Americas; its range spans from Florida in the United States, through the Caribbean islands, and into parts of Central and South America including the Caribbean Islands of Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola (Rainwater et al., 2022). They are semi-aquatic and primarily inhabit a wide range of brackish water in coastal areas including estuaries, rivers, lagoons, and mangrove swamps but can also be found in true marine conditions around cayes and atolls, as well as freshwater reservoirs inland (Id.).
Males are typically between 13 to 16 feet in length, but can reach over twenty feet. Females are generally smaller, reaching lengths of between 9 and 12 feet. Their skin is rough and covered in armored scales, and they have powerful jaws filled with sharp teeth (Florida Fish And Wildlife).
The American Crocodile is similar in appearance to, and often confused with, the American Alligator, but the American Crocodile can be distinguished by their brownish color, narrower snout, and a lower jaw with visible lower teeth even when the mouth is closed. In contrast, American Alligators are black with a slightly rounded body and longer head with visible upper teeth along the edge of their jaws (Florida Fish And Wildlife).
This species is mostly nocturnal and spends much of their time in the water. They consume a variety of prey, including fish, turtles, birds, mammals, and occasionally larger animals like deer (U.S. Department of the Interior, 2021). Breeding takes place seasonally between April and May after up to two months of courtship (Fishman, 2009). Females carefully choose nesting sites—often a hole or mount—to minimize water intrusion, extreme weather conditions, and predation (Fishman, 2009, Mazzotti et. al., 2022). Clutch sizes are typically between 30 and 60 eggs which require 9-10 weeks incubation (Fishman, 2009). Due to predation while they are still small, the survival rate for newly hatched and young crocodiles is remarkably low: only 1 in 4 crocodiles make it to 4 years of age (Florida Fish and Wildlife).
STATUS AND TRENDS
The current global population of American Crocodiles in the wild is estimated to be about 5,000 mature individuals (Rainwater et al., 2022; see also U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, 2022). A review conducted in the early 2000’s concluded that the species was rebounding across most of its range (Id.). However, recovery was limited and/or nonexistent in other parts of their range (Id.).
Habitat loss and over-exploitation have driven an inferred decline of 30% of the species’ wild population over the last 75 years (Rainwater et al., 2022). This downward trend is anticipated to continue as coastal development and illegal hunting, compounded by climate change and sea level rise, continue to threaten the species (Id.). As such, the American Crocodile has been categorized as Vulnerable by the IUCN (Id.).
LAW & POLICY
The United States population of the American Crocodile was listed as Endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1975 (LeBuff, 2016). In 1979, remaining populations outside the U.S. were also listed as Endangered (44 FR 75074). Finding improvements in the species’ status but determining ESA protection was still needed, the species was reclassified as Threatened in 2007 (72 FR 1302713041).
The American Crocodile is also included under CITES Appendix I in most range states including the United States, which prohibits international commercial trade with limited exceptions (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). Populations in Mexico, Cuba and the Cispatá Bay in Colombia are included in Appendix II permitting trade subject to national legislation, provided that such trade is not detrimental to the species (Id.).
ONGOING THREATS
Over-exploitation, made worse by habitat loss and degradation, continues to jeopardize the existence of the American Crocodile and must be addressed if the species is to persist.
OVER-EXPLOITATION AND COMMERCIAL TRADE
Excessive hunting for commercial trade (domestic and international) in American Crocodile hide, meat, and derivatives is the main cause of the species’ decimation and is still a primary threat (Rainwater et al., 2022). Despite legal protection, products made from Crocodilian skins are sold openly and frequently online at high prices, incentivizing continued exploitation. For example, as recently as July 25, 2023 Kim Kardashian was seen toting a crocodile handbag worth upwards of $300k (Jones, 2023).
While CITES largely prohibits international trade of American Crocodiles and other Crocodilian species for commercial purposes, the Convention provides an exemption for captive bred specimens (Art. VII, paragraph 4, CITES), a provision that has been criticized for prioritizing economic goals over conservation (Dutton et al., 2011, Nature Needs More Ltd, 2020).
Proponents of captive breeding programs created under this exemption argue that these practices reduce pressure on wild populations (Dutton et al., 2011). Crocodile farming (captive breeding) and ranching (gathering eggs from the wild) operations have been credited with substantial contributions to recovery efforts by reducing demand for poached wild skins, and returning a percentage of the juveniles they raise to the wild (see Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries, 86 Fed. Reg. 5112).
The CITES Trade Database indicates 46,207 American Crocodile skins sourced from captive breeding and ranching operations were recorded in international trade for commercial purposes between 2012 and 2022 with a vast majority (77.86%) reported by Colombia (n = 35,976) (UNEP-WCMC CITES trade database). 8,308 items reported as leather products (n = 8,140), or garments (n = 168) were also recorded during the same time period with a majority (75.31%) reported by Italy (n = 6,257).
The actual conservation impacts of captive breeding on the American Crocodile's wild population at this scale are unclear, but it is hard to imagine practices that complicate enforcement frameworks for the species, and encourage use rather than protection, would be beneficial to the species’ wild population and prove sustainable in the long term. Studies suggest captive breeding promotes unsustainable commercial exploitation by increasing incentives for poaching and providing cover for illegal trade (Dutton et al., 2011). Indeed, illegal trade in American Crocodile skins is known to occur but difficult to quantify, monitor, and enforce (Green et al., 2022, Meeks et al., 2024, Petrossian et al. 2024).
HABITAT LOSS AND DEGRADATION
Habitat loss and degradation due to coastal development and the expansion of agriculture and aquaculture operations is a primary cause of the species’ historical decline and continues to pose a significant threat (Rainwater et al., 2022).
Disease, predation by introduced species, and alteration of hydrologic regimes and salinity levels in coastal wetlands affect nesting success and survival (Rainwater et al., 2022). For example, extensive drainage and development in South Florida has modified sheetflow and reduced freshwater flow into Florida Bay, resulting in increased salinity and thereby reducing the availability of optimal nesting and rearing habitat for crocodiles (Mazzotti and Cherkiss, 2003). Breeding success is essential to the survival of this species’s wild populations.
Climate change effects are further exacerbating human pressures by challenging the species’ ability to track climatic shifts, the timing and intensity of hurricanes, changes in water chemistry and salinity, and extreme temperatures (Climate Adaptation Explorer). Although new habitat may also become available as sea levels rise, developed areas may create barriers to northward migration of mangroves and crocodile habitat (Id.). All of these factors further complicate nest selection, success, and sex ratios, as sex determination is temperature dependent in this species (Id.).
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Like most Crocodilian species (members of the taxonomic order Crocodilia), the American Crocodile is commonly feared as an aggressive human predator. The truth is, American Crocodiles are shy and prefer solitude, and conflicts with humans are rare (Florida Fish and Wildlife Service). They are complex, sentient animals that feel pain, fear, and even exhibit behaviors defined as play (Learmonth). Unfortunately, repeated observations of these traits have not translated to reduced exploitation of the species for meat and hides, nor policies that provide considerations for their well-being in the context of factory farms and management actions.
FACTORY FARMING
American Alligators, a species often confused with American Crocodiles, are farmed and ranched broadly across the southern United States. The first commercial alligator farming operations were established in Florida in the 1890s. During the 1980s, nearly simultaneously with the rollback of ESA protections for the nearly-extinct American Alligators, indoor commercial farming of alligators proliferated (Guarcello et al., 2023). Now prevalent in Florida and Louisiana, over 100 commercial-scale alligator farming operations are active in the United States (Elsey et al., 2019). There are 28 active alligator farms in Florida, which produced over 37,000 alligator hides in 2021 (Guarcello et al., 2023). And more than 923,000 American Alligators have been reported in captivity in Louisiana alone (Elsey et al., 2019). As is the case for traditional factory farms in this country, regulation of alligator factory farms are lax, further complicating monitoring and enforcement efforts for both look-alike species.
The American Alligator is designated as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), due to its similarity in appearance to the Endangered American Crocodile (50 CFR § 17.11). Species listed as threatened for similarity of appearance must be treated as any other threatened species is treated under the ESA, only subject to a permit (Id. at § 17.51-52). This designation under the ESA is meant to protect the American Crocodile from inadvertent take, in the event that (as is not uncommon) a crocodile is mistaken for an alligator (Id. at § 17.50). The continued commercial takings of American Alligators runs in direct contradiction with the stated purpose of the ESA being to protect threatened and endangered species.
Like other farmed animals in the US, reptiles are exempted from federal animal welfare statutes, such as the Animal Welfare Act, the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, and the Anti-Cruelty Act (7 U.S.C. 2132; 7 U.S.C. 1931; 18 U.S.C. 48; Guarcello et al., 2023). And as are most farm practices in the US, crocodilian factory farm conditions are kept in check only by what qualifies as “standard industry practice” (Id.). As such, living conditions and methods of slaughter that prioritize profits rather than welfare have been codified.
On Floridian alligator farms, alligators are crowded into confines barely large enough to accommodate them, with pools of tepid water only a few inches deep, and only rarely will they have access to a window (Guarcello et al., 2023). Such conditions are at odds with alligators’ natural state: they are shy and solitary, occupy large territories, and lay in the sun to regulate their internal body temperature (Id.). As a result, alligators in factory farm facilities will display signs of stress, such as fighting and piling, which do not occur among wild alligators (Id.).
Slaughter methods of crocodilians are also far from humane. In the US, a standard practice involves pithing, a process of first severing the spinal cord and then inserting a metal rod into the skull to destroy the brain (Guarcello et al., 2023) This method is accepted worldwide in the industry, but any testament to it being a humane practice is contradicted by records of crocodilians remaining conscious during the process, and sometimes for a full minute afterwards (Animals Australia, 2024). Another cruel slaughter method entails dragging crocodilians out from their enclosures to be shot in the head (Id.). In Florida, alligator farms use brutal methods of slaughter, including chiseling through the spine with crude instruments and even beating with a bat, which leads to hours of needless suffering and brutality against these sensitive animals (Guarcello et al., 2023).
CONCLUSION
While concerted efforts to save the American Crocodile from extinction, including the establishment of protected areas, hunting restrictions, captive breeding, and education programs, are believed to have played a role in slowing the species’ decline, a closer look at the crocodilian skin trade and persistent exploitation in the face of ongoing challenges threatening this species suggests that celebrating “success” may be unwarranted. Continuing to allow commercial trade in Crocodilian species is irresponsible, unnecessary, and contrary to modern ethical and environmental standards.
What you can do to protect the American Crocodile:
Reject all products that use crocodilian skin or parts.
When raising awareness against factory farms, make sure crocodilian welfare is part of the conversation.
Urge companies like Coach, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Hermès to stop selling products made from crocodilian skins and parts.
Advocate to end crocodilian farming.
References
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