The American Crocodile: An Indicator Species for Everglades Restoration

Release Date: 11/25/2019

Reviewed At: 3/30/2026

DOI: 10.32473/EDIS-uw422-2016

Natural Resources

Abstract

The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is a top predator that lives along the southern tip of peninsular Florida. Crocodiles inhabit saltwater, brackish water, or freshwater near coastal areas in mangrove-lined ponds, creeks, coves, man-made ponds, and canals. In 1975, the American crocodile was federally listed as an endangered species. Conservation and management have helped the south Florida crocodile population rebound, resulting in its downlisting to threatened in 2007. However, habitat modification and decreased freshwater flow to estuaries still present ongoing concerns for this threatened species.

About this Publication

This document is WEC377, one of a series of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date August 2016. Visit the Ask IFAS website at https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/ for the currently supported version of this publication.

How to Cite

Harvey, R. G., Squires, M., Beauchamp, J., Mazzotti, F. J., & Brandt, L. A. (2016). American Crocodile: An Indicator Species for Everglades Restoration. EDIS, 2016(8), 3. https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-uw422-2016

Authors

Rebecca Harvey

external

University of Florida

former environmental education coordinator; Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center

View Rebecca Harvey's Profile

Michiko Squires

staff

University of Florida

former wildlife biologist, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center

View Michiko Squires's Profile

Jeff Beauchamp

Frank Mazzotti

Contact

Specialist

University of Florida

professor, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL

View Frank Mazzotti's Profile

Laura Brandt

staff

University of Florida

Wildlife biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

View Laura Brandt's Profile

Contacts

Venetia Briggs-Gonzalez

Contact

staff

University of Florida

senior research wildlife ecologist, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, and director Lamanai Field Research Center, UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

View Venetia Briggs-Gonzalez's Profile

Eric Suarez

Contact

staff

University of Florida

biological scientist III, UF/IFAS Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Davie, FL

View Eric Suarez's Profile

Aaron Chimelis

Contact

student

University of Florida

wildlife intern, UF/IFAS Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Davie FL