Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi
Why is gators attack in Florida not crocs ? I was under the impression crocs were bigger and the more dangerous of the 2 yet Florida has crocs and gators but all the attacks are gators .

thanks

Basically, because when you hear about crocs being aggressive, it is based on reports from two species: The Nile Crocodile from Africa and the Saltwater crocodile from Australia. These are two very large, agressive species which are the dominant predators in their habitats and are capable of capturing large mammal prey.

In Florida the species of crocodile we have is Crocodylus acutus, the American crocodile, which is primarily a fish eater. This crocodile is also known as a more timid and shy creature. That doesn't mean they don't grow large (3m is typical in Florida and 5m individuals in the tropics aren't uncommon) but they are much more skittish in nature. I just returned from doing surveys in Southwestern Costa RIca and we were lucky if we got within 50 meters of large adult acutus before they bolted into the water or submerged to get away from the boat.

American alligators, on the other hand, are not nearly as wary of humans and become quite habituated to human activity, hence they will approach people more readily, whereas the crocs tend to stay away from people. Other factors are that the alligator has a wider range then the AMerican crocodile in Florida, and the areas where the crocodile is found, are very remote areas of the Southern everglades and cooling canals of a nuclear power plant, that is strictly off-limits.

Hope this answers your question.

MH

Rio Sierpe, Costa Rica.

Juvenile, floating near vegetation.

2.5 meter individual, approachable to within 50 meters before slipping into the river.

Thanks for the info. I live in Miami and dont think have ever seen a croc but have seen alligators (tiny) by my sisters backyard canal .

That picture is great. I read in Miami paper that while back a 4 foot Nile crocodile was caught by Glades as it killed,ate a smaller Alligator I imagine released pet .

That got my Dad and I wondering why no croc attacks in Florida just gators.