Does Florida Have Crocodiles or Alligators or Both?

Does Florida Have Crocodiles or Alligators or Both?

By

–> Updated:

The United States has its share of alligators and crocodiles.  These marine creatures can be found in many places in the country.

For instance, the American crocodile resides in many places usually within the Americas, such as Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and in South Florida.

I have witnessed crocodiles attack chickens and goats in a rural area in Africa, and the destruction was massive. The poor farmer had more losses than he could bare that he closed his farm close to the local river.

Does Florida have crocodiles or alligators or both?

Florida has both crocodiles and alligators around its environment.

Surprisingly, South Florida happens to be the only place where you can find these two animals in the wild.

Does Florida Have Crocodiles or Alligators or Both?
Does Florida Have Crocodiles or Alligators or Both?

The difference between the alligator and the crocodile is that alligators have a more U shaped snout while crocodiles have a V shaped or pointed snout. Moreso, crocodiles are usually grayish brown while alligators are black.

There are more alligators in Florida than crocodiles. On the flip side, crocodiles are very rare and live in coastal, brackish or saltwater habitats.

Below are some of the differences between the alligator and the crocodile:

Differences between alligators and crocodiles

Body

The easiest way to tell if it’s an alligator or a crocodile is by examining the snout. However, I suggest that you do this at a distance and, better still, using binoculars as these animals are very dangerous to human beings.

Alligators have a long, rounded and U shaped snout. Thanks to the shape of their jaw, they can induce more powerful closing bites and consume challenging prey such as turtles.

You will not be able to see the teeth of an alligator when their mouths are closed. However, crocodiles have a longer, narrower and V shaped snout which shows off their dentition even when their mouths are closed.

Size

Alligators and crocodiles are both huge animals. While alligators are able to grow to more than 15 feet in length and weigh an average of 500 pounds, crocodiles can grow to an even larger size and they weigh as much as 2,200 pounds.

The largest alligators ever recorded in Florida weighed 1,043 pounds which are more than half a ton.

Where in Florida can I find these beasts?  While alligators can be found nearly anywhere in Florida, they are majorly seen in freshwater habitats.

As such, it has become a well known saying that anybody of freshwater in Florida whether a retention pond, a water hazard on the golf course or a lake, may have an alligator.

Alligators have been discovered by residents in Florida in different places like drainage canals, swimming pools and storm drains. Local nature preserves are, however, the best place to find an alligator in their natural habitat.

Safety Measure

  • If you find an alligator in Florida, make sure that you do not touch, approach or disturb the alligator. If you find the alligator in a park or preserve, just admire it from a distance and do not bother the alligator.
  • If you however, find the alligator in places close to your residence, vehicle, workplace or other public areas, ensure that you call the law enforcement to have the alligator removed through animal control. Yes, alligators are beautiful creatures but they are still very harmful and should be avoided.
  • Although crocodiles are not as common to find in Florida as alligators, you can still find them in South Florida towards the Everglades. American crocodiles usually prefer to stay in salty or brackish water and they may remain in ponds, mangrove stands, coastal swamps and caves.
  • Regardless, crocodiles have still been found in fresh waters as a result of the extensive, interconnected network of canals that South Florida offers.

Do alligators and crocodiles live together in Florida?

No.

Alligator lives n freshwater, while crocodiles live in brackish water. I mentioned that both alligators and crocodiles reside in Florida.

While alligators are found mostly in freshwater habitats, crocodiles inhabit brackish water close to the coasts in South Florida.

Sometimes, alligators move into inlets and other regions where salt water and freshwater meet.

I must not fail to advise you, if  you encounter a crocodile in Florida. Make sure you leave the crocodile alone and go as far away from it as possible.

In the case where the crocodile is causing a nuisance, call law enforcement to have the crocodile trapped as soon as possible.

With the expansion of the human population in South Florida, there is now more frequent contact between humans and crocodiles. It is important that you do not try to scare or even come close to the crocodiles.

Crocodiles and alligators are known to be ambush predators meaning that they hunt their prey by stalking it and waiting for the right opportunity to snatch and devour it.

They usually remain in the water and slowly approach their prey. Once the time is right, they snatch and crush their prey using their powerful jaws until it is dead.

Can an alligator mate with a crocodile?

No.

An alligator is not able to mate with a crocodile, although they have very similar features. These animals are genetically different and belong to a different subspecies that is, Alligatoridae and Crocodylidae.

Thanks to their genetic differences, it is impossible for them to mate and have offspring. So you won’t be seeing any crocogators at all.

However, it may be possible for crocodiles to breed with one another and this is happening currently in Cuba as a result of the cross breeding between American and Cuban crocodiles.

Many animals do not breed with each other even if they belong to the same family due to their chromosome disparity. Thus, before two animals are able to produce offspring, the two parents need to have an even number of chromosomes.

For instance, a horse has 64 chromosomes while the donkey has 62. Because these two animals have an even number of chromosomes, the horse and donkey are able to mate and produce offspring.

However, the result of this union (the mule) is a hybrid which possesses 63 chromosomes and is sterile. Therefore, there is no chance of an alligator and crocodile mating.


By

->Last Updated:

ABOUT ME

I’m Jeff – I’m like a human GPS, but instead of giving you directions, I give you the inside scoop on how to have the time of your life on your next holiday.

As a born & raised Floridian, I know my home state like the back of my hand.

From the excitement of Orlando’s theme parks to the natural beauty of the Everglades, I’ve explored it all.

About Us Jeff from TravelMagma

But Florida is just the beginning of my adventures.

I’ve traveled across the US, from the red rocks of Sedona to the lively streets of New York City.

Overseas, I’ve marveled at the Eiffel Tower in Paris and tasted gelato in the piazzas of Rome.

My most unforgettable trip was a safari in Kenya.

Seeing elephants, lions and zebras in their natural habitat was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I even wrote a Book!

So come along for the ride and let me help curate your next epic getaway!

Let’s connect on My FB – and share our stories together!