Endangered Species - American Crocodile

2 Pages 544 Words

Endangered Species Paper
The definition of an endangered species according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is one that is in danger of extinction throughout all or most of its range of habitat. The only exception to this definition is in regards to insects that are considered pests and would represent a threat to the well being of humans under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act. The Endangered Species Act protects species classified as endangered from being hunted, imported, exported, sold, or threatened by other means. In addition to the protection the FWS also develops recovery plans for the species in which they work to re-establish the species in its natural habitat to a point where protection under the ESA is no longer needed.
The American crocodile was first listed as endangered on September 25, 1975. The only place that it can be found in the U.S. is in the wetlands of Florida. American crocodiles live in areas where fresh and salt water mix together, such as coastal wetlands and canals. Crocodiles are large primitive looking reptiles with long bodies covered in jagged, leathery skin. They are closely related to the alligator and can be distinguished by a longer more slender snout, also they are light gray or tan while alligators are dark gray or black. One important adaptation of the crocodile is the ability to survive in waters of high salt concentration.
American crocodiles eat a variety of crabs, fish, waterfowl, and small mammals. Their wide selection of prey constitutes them as a generalist in that regard. As babies crocodiles are vulnerable to many predators such as raccoons, birds, fish, and other crocodiles. Most hatchlings are eaten before they reach adult size. As adults crocodiles are at the top of their food chain and are threatened for the most part only by humans. Because of its wide selection of food crocodiles face little competition besides perhaps from the alligators who oft...