American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is a species of crocodile found in Neotropics. This is the most extensive of the four extant species of crocodiles from the Americas. Populations occur from the Atlantic and Pacific coast of southern Mexico to South America as far as Peru and Venezuela. It also lives in many river systems in Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola. In the United States, the American crocodile habitat is limited to the southern part of Florida, and has an estimated population of 2,000. American crocodile habitat consists mainly of coastal areas. This is larger than some other crocodile species, with some males reach a length of 6.1 m (20 ft).
Like all crocodiles, American crocodiles are quadruped, with four short, unfold the legs, tail, strong long and scaly hide with rows of stiff Scutes flowing back and tail. Elongated nozzle and including a pair of strong jaws. His eyes were pengerjap membranes for protection along with the tear glands, which produce tears.
Nostrils, eyes, and ears are situated on the top of his head, so that the entire body can be concealed underwater for surprise attacks. Camouflage also helps that prey on food. Relatively long and narrow snout of the American alligator, despite wide average compared to the Orinoco crocodile. American crocodiles are also paler and more gray than dark-colored crocodile relative. This species usually crocodile crawling on belly, but also can "walk tall". Larger specimens can fill up to 10 mph (16 km / h).
They can swim at 20 mph (32 km / h) by moving their body and tail with a meandering way, but they could not maintain this speed.
American crocodiles are more vulnerable to cold than American alligators. While the American alligator can survive in water from 7.2 ° C (45.0 ° F) for some time, an American alligator in an environment that will be helpless and lost. American Crocodile, however, have a faster growth rate than alligators, and far more tolerant of salt water.
Tukik newborn about 22 cm (8.7 in) long and about 60 g (2 oz) in mass. The average adult is 4.3 m (14 feet) and weighs 382 kg (840 lb) in males, and 3 m (9.8 ft) and 173 kg (380 lb) in females.
In Tarcoles River in Costa Rica, tens of four meters and five meters in some individuals crossing the bridge often (where they eat every day, which may have helped them achieve the consistent large size) and is a popular tourist attraction. In Florida they range, adult length has been recorded as high as 5.2 m (17 feet), but the adult male average size of 4.3 m (14 feet) long. This species is said to grow largest in the river valley in South America, but even the old man who rarely reach 6 m (20 ft).
A skull of this species is found to measure 72.6 cm (28.6 in) and is estimated to have been owned by a crocodile than 6.6 m (22 feet) long. Large, regular adult male weighs around 400-500 kg (880-1100 lb), with individuals from six meters or more than 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). In 2009, two biologists in Florida to work for The History Channel series Monsterquest seen and filmed what they are expected to be 16-18 meters deep in the Everglades alligator.
American crocodiles breed in late autumn or early winter, involved in a protracted mating ritual in which the male emits a very low frequency bellows to attract females. Body size is more important than age in determining the reproductive ability, and females reach sexual maturity at length about 2.8 m (9.2 ft).
In February or March, the female will begin to make a nest of gravitational sand, mud, and dead vegetation along the water's edge. Nest location is very important, and with the right amount of plants, the eggs will grow in a small temperature range. Because the temperature dependent sex determination in alligators, slightly above the temperature deviation can result in traction of all-male or all female, which may be harmful to people's health. About one month later, when it's time to put, females will dig a hole to the side of the diagonal width of the nest and lay 30 to 70 eggs in it, depending on the size of his body.
After laying, the female may cover the eggs with debris or leave them uncovered. The, egg whites long if need be explained is about 8 cm (3.1 in) long and 5 cm (2.0 in) wide and has a number of pores in the skin fragile. During the 75 to 80 day incubation period for, parents will take care of the nest, often occupying the hole in the nearest bank. Women especially have been known to keep their hives with violence. But regardless of the precautions, crocodile eggs are sometimes victims of raccoon, fox, skunk or other pemulungan mammals. Crocodile eggs quite fragile, but softer than bird eggs. Young species hatch after 75-80 days.
These species are mainly in tropical regions with distinct wet season, and the young hatch near the first rainy season (July-August), after previously dry season and before the body of water in which they live flood. In the development of the children, the mother crocodile show a unique mode of care. During the process of hatching, while young crocodiles most vulnerable to predation, instinctively they will call in a soft, grunting like croaks. This sounds trigger women to attend to their nests, eggs reveal if they have been closed. Then it will help Hatchlings in their egg and spoon them escape with his mouth, bringing them into nearby water sources.
The Hatchlings, which is 24 to 27 cm (9.4 to 11 in) long, have been reported to actively hunt their prey in a few days after hatching. It is not uncommon for parents to treat young weeks even after they have hatched, still call attention to them and continue to provide transportation. Around five weeks after hatching, young crocodiles disperse find their own independent lives. Most of them, of course, will not survive, which is eaten by wild birds a greater variety of fish. Those who do take place early stages of life will grow rapidly, feeding on insects, fish and frogs. In addition, several young crocodile rumored to be eating each other.
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