The American crocodile reaches a hearty 13.5 feet in length, sporting broad snouts studded with sharp teeth for grappling prey.
They are the only crocodile species native to the US, primarily seen in southern Florida and at times sighted in Louisiana and Texas. Their olive-gray hue provides excellent camouflage in their surroundings, hiding them from prey until the ideal strike moment.
Because of their adaptability, these crocs are the most widespread of all species living in America. They can survive in fresh wetlands, coastal lagoons, and river estuaries and even handle saltwater, courtesy of special glands that filter out excess salt. Other types of crocodiles may have tolerance to salt. Still, only the American crocodile4, other than Saltwater Crocodiles, can thrive in saltwater environments.
Despite their formidable presence and efficient predation, they tend to be reserved and mainly avoid humans. Males are territorial, and despite their solitary life, they contribute significantly to the ecosystem by keeping prey populations in check.
Username: DinRat Published on 2024-12-15 12:11:27 ID NUMBER: 127124
The Nile crocodile, stretching up to 16 feet long, is the second-largest crocodilian and the largest in Africa. Predominantly, the males reach this size; females remain somewhat smaller. Their bodies, cloaked in a dark bronze shell dotted with black and a hint of belly purple, make a perfect camouflage for preying.
This crocodile boasts an impressively strong bite force, almost 3,000 PSI, one of the highest among animals. They inhabit the freshwater venues of Sub-Saharan Africa, the Nile Basin, and even Madagascar. These habitats provide an ideal mix of protective cover and bountiful food resources.
Contrary to common belief, Nile crocodiles are not solitary by nature. They have a social structure, showcasing dominance and sometimes even disputes.
They also have a sharp sensory system. This crocodile can sense minute changes in water pressure, which is vital for hunting.
The American crocodile reaches a hearty 13.5 feet in length, sporting broad snouts studded with sharp teeth for grappling prey.
They are the only crocodile species native to the US, primarily seen in southern Florida and at times sighted in Louisiana and Texas. Their olive-gray hue provides excellent camouflage in their surroundings, hiding them from prey until the ideal strike moment.
Because of their adaptability, these crocs are the most widespread of all species living in America. They can survive in fresh wetlands, coastal lagoons, and river estuaries and even handle saltwater, courtesy of special glands that filter out excess salt. Other types of crocodiles may have tolerance to salt. Still, only the American crocodile4, other than Saltwater Crocodiles, can thrive in saltwater environments.
Despite their formidable presence and efficient predation, they tend to be reserved and mainly avoid humans. Males are territorial, and despite their solitary life, they contribute significantly to the ecosystem by keeping prey populations in check.
The Freshwater Crocodile can be found in Northern Australia. This species is also Johnston's Crocodile, commemorating the amateur naturalist Robert Arthur Johnstone, who first reported it.
They have light brown bodies with darker bands at the back and tail. Males typically measure up to 9 feet, while females average around 7 feet. Their narrow snouts, distinguishing them from other crocs, are ideal for catching fish, insects, and small amphibians.
These freshwater crocodiles inhabit rivers, wetlands, and creeks, living away from Saltwater Crocodiles as much as possible to avoid confrontation.
The Saltwater crocodile is the world's largest land predator and reptile, stretching up to 20 feet long and weighing more than a ton. It can also overpower other predators, including lions and bears, thanks to their 3,700 psi biting power, which is the highest among other types of crocodiles2.
Their distinguishing features include wide, hefty snouts and rugged, dark green scales that blend with the surroundings, while their bellies flaunt cream-colored scales.
Also called marine crocodiles or sea crocodiles, their range spans from the eastern Indian shores to Southeast Asia and northern Australia. Remarkably tolerant to saltwater, these robust crocs tend to live in saltwater habitats but can also thrive in brackish and fresh waters.
Their feeding habits are highly opportunistic, and they prefer to hunt submerged in water. Nothing, including fish, birds, and mammals, seems to escape their menu. Their infamous "death roll" hunting strategy is brutal but effectively attacks larger prey.
The Cuban crocodile, hailing from the heart of the Caribbean, displays a stunning mix of olive and gold hues. Males can reach up to 11 feet, with females slightly shorter. You'll commonly spot Cuban Crocodiles in the Zapata Swamp or Isle of Youth in Cuba.
Don’t let their medium size fool you. These territorial crocodiles are intelligent and aggressive5. Many scientists and zookeepers have observed these, from cooperative hunting to challenging handling.
Unfortunately, Cuban Crocodiles are critically endangered8, with less than 2,400 individuals in the wild. They face various threats, including water pollution, climate change, illegal hunting, and habitat transformation. Additionally, hybridization with the American Crocodile compromises their genetic integrity and introduced crocodilians to compete with their resources.
The Philippine crocodile is another critically endangered species needing immediate protection6. It typically grows up to 8.8 feet. Notable features include a wide snout and durable dorsal shield.
Endemic to the Philippines, this species dwindles in three regions, with fewer than 200 mature individuals, a decrease of 82%. Despite reintroduction attempts, an 85%-94% drop in adults exists over three generations.
The species faces threats from habitat loss, persecution, and fishing net entanglement. High conservation dependence is noted - discontinuing conservation actions could result in extinction within ten years.
Hailing from Central America's freshwater habitats, the Morelet's Crocodile, also called the Mexican Crocodile, ranges vastly across Mexico to Guatemala. These medium-sized creatures extend up to 10 feet, with males often outsizing females.
Characteristically, this species sports a dark, grey-brown skin adorned with bands and spots over their frame and tail. This helps them blend and become nearly invisible, hunting stealthily in the murky marsh, swamp, and lake waters, which they prefer.
Their reputation includes a noticeably short temper, particularly during breeding seasons. An intriguing behavior they exhibit is their distinctive "water dance"- a body oscillation that makes the water pulsate, essential for their communication.
Though they were previously exploited for their valuable hide in the 1950s, they've rebounded thanks to dedicated conservation measures. They now hold a least concern status. However, they're still as threatened by habitat loss, pollution, and climate change as before.
The New Guinea Crocodile is a small-sized species, with males measuring up to almost 11 feet and females appearing a bit smaller. However, they both feature a broad snout and ridges down their backs and tails, distinguishing them from other species. Their green-brown skin is a notable natural beauty, yet it draws the attention of hunters as a valued resource.
They inhabit the freshwater swamps and lakes of North Guinea, while the previous type of crocodile lives in the south.
Exhibited by their love for hunting at night, New Guinea crocodiles cleverly utilize their night vision for survival. During the day, they either spend submerged in water or bask in groups.
The medium-sized Siamese crocodile, typically up to 9.8 feet, epitomizes freshwater wildlife with a sleek, olive-green exterior. Unlike its bigger kin, it boasts a smooth snout that mirrors its placid surroundings across Southeast Asia's marshlands, from Cambodia to potentially Thailand.
Unfortunately, Siamese crocodiles are critically endangered7, with populations significantly fragmented and reduced, primarily because of commercial hunting, illegal collection, habitat destruction, incidental fishing captures, and hydroelectric dam development.
Despite new information on its ecology, it remains poorly understood. Without conservation interventions, the species' progressive decline will carry on.
The South American Orinoco crocodile, a notable inhabitant of Venezuela's and Colombia's river basins, is a titan among reptiles. Male counterparts stretch up to 14 feet long, ranking them among the earth's biggest crocodile species.
Their sandy hues, aptly designed for the riverine backdrop, assist in maintaining an element of surprise when hunting prey. Their physical attribute of a long, slender snout is crafted for capturing fish. However, as opportunistic feeders, they can also occasionally consume small mammals, reptiles, and even caimans.
Over-hunting in the early to mid-1900s led to an alarming reduction of over 80% in the Orinoco Crocodile population. Today, trade is blocked, and over-exploitation isn't a significant threat. However, illegal harvest, habitat fragmentation, pollution, and riverside development still pose considerable threats.
Sadly, with approximately 250 mature individuals remaining, Orinoco Crocodiles are endangered.
The Mugger crocodile, or the Marsh crocodile, commands respect in the freshwater habitats of southern Iran and the Indian subcontinent. Depending on diet and habitat, males can reach medium-sized lengths of approximately 11.5 feet.
These creatures feature a distinct dark, olive-brown to black skin that acts as effective camouflage, aided further by their wide snouts. Their habitat choice includes marshes, lakes, and rivers; however, man-made habitats like reservoirs and irrigation channels are not uncommon for these far-traveled reptiles.
A recent study reveals reptiles' first recorded tool use. Mugger Crocodiles spotted luring prey using sticks on their snouts during the nest-building season. Researchers observed this behavior both in natural habitats and zoological parks.
The West African crocodile is also known as the desert crocodile. It typically reaches up to 9.8 feet - with a few reaching an impressive 13 feet. Its distinguishing features are its olive body and broad snout with larger scales.
These types of crocodiles thrive in rivers, mountain rock pools, and seasonal floodplains of West Africa. As dry seasons hit, it finds shelter between rock boulders or excavated burrows.
The West African slender-snouted crocodile is a medium-sized species, stretching up to 13 feet, with a uniquely elongated snout, optimizing its skills in aquatic hunting.
They inhabit freshwater bodies, existing across 18 nations in Central and West Africa. You can easily spot them during the night as they spend the day hidden near the water's edge in the shade.
Slender-snouted Crocodile, last evaluated as Data Deficient in 1996, faced significant changes in the following years, leading to concerns over its status. Evidence suggesting a split between West and Central African species underscores this issue.
Central African species exhibit a more resilient, unified habitat, with West African counterparts fragmented due to deforestation and geology. Anthropogenic changes such as encroachment, hunting, and aridification have further damaged the population, particularly in West Africa, where some subpopulations could go extinct in the near future.
Trade in crocodile skins, habitat changes, and human intrusion since 1938 have led to the West African Slender-snouted Crocodile being listed as Critically Endangered.
The Central African Slender-snouted Crocodile differs from its West African counterpart as they are two distinct but superficially similar species. Aside from being endemic from different parts of the continent, molecular and morphological studies have revealed a distinction despite overlapping variations and a complex taxonomic history3.
Although both slender-snouted crocodiles are critically endangered, they are doing better, with less fragmentation and lower historical decline in their populations.
The Dwarf crocodile only spans just 5 to 6 feet. The croc's compact build and broad snout add character to its physique, while bony armor provides durable protection.
Streams and rivers in West and Central Africa's rainforests offer the perfect habitat for this nocturnal creature. Their broad diet includes small mammals, birds, amphibians, fish, and crustaceans. Solitary and timid by nature, they spend their days hidden in pools or their excavated burrows.
The American crocodile reaches a hearty 13.5 feet in length, sporting broad snouts studded with sharp teeth for grappling prey.
They are the only crocodile species native to the US, primarily seen in southern Florida and at times sighted in Louisiana and Texas. Their olive-gray hue provides excellent camouflage in their surroundings, hiding them from prey until the ideal strike moment.
Because of their adaptability, these crocs are the most widespread of all species living in America. They can survive in fresh wetlands, coastal lagoons, and river estuaries and even handle saltwater, courtesy of special glands that filter out excess salt. Other types of crocodiles may have tolerance to salt. Still, only the American crocodile4, other than Saltwater Crocodiles, can thrive in saltwater environments.
Despite their formidable presence and efficient predation, they tend to be reserved and mainly avoid humans. Males are territorial, and despite their solitary life, they contribute significantly to the ecosystem by keeping prey populations in check.
North America is a continent[b] in the Northern and Western Hemispheres.[c] North America is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Caribbean Sea, and to the west and south by the Pacific Ocean. The region includes the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Clipperton Island, Greenland, Mexico, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the United States.
North America
# Country Population
(2024) Land Area
(Km²) Density
(P/Km²)
1 U.S.A. 345,426,571 9,147,420 38
2 Mexico 130,861,007 1,943,950 67
3 Canada 39,742,430 9,093,510 4
4 Guatemala 18,406,359 107,160 172
5 Haiti 11,772,557 27,560 427
6 Dominican Republic 11,427,557 48,320 236
7 Cuba 10,979,783 106,440 103
8 Honduras 10,825,703 111,890 97
9 Nicaragua 6,916,140 120,340 57
10 El Salvador 6,338,193 20,720 306
11 Costa Rica 5,129,910 51,060 100
12 Panama 4,515,577 74,340 61
13 Puerto Rico 3,242,204 8,870 366
14 Jamaica 2,839,175 10,830 262
15 Trinidad and Tobago 1,507,782 5,130 294
16 Belize 417,072 22,810 18
17 Bahamas 401,283 10,010 40
18 Guadeloupe 375,106 1,690 222
19 Martinique 343,195 1,060 324
20 Barbados 282,467 430 657
21 Curaçao 185,482 444 418
22 Saint Lucia 179,744 610 295
23 Grenada 117,207 340 345
24 Aruba 108,066 180 600
25 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 100,616 390 258
26 Antigua and Barbuda 93,772 440 213
27 United States Virgin Islands 84,905 350 243
28 Cayman Islands 74,457 240 310
29 Dominica 66,205 750 88
30 Bermuda 64,636 50 1,293
31 Greenland 55,840 410,450 0
32 Saint Kitts and Nevis 46,843 260 180
33 Turks and Caicos Islands 46,535 950 49
34 Sint Maarten 43,350 34 1,275
35 British Virgin Islands 39,471 150 263
36 Caribbean Netherlands 30,675 328 94
37 Saint Martin 26,129 53 493
38 Anguilla 14,598 90 162
39 Saint Barthélemy 11,258 21 536
40 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 5,628 230 24
41 Montserrat 4,389 100 44
South America is a continent[g] entirely in the Western Hemisphere[h] and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a considerably smaller portion in the Northern Hemisphere. It can also be described as the southern subregion of the Americas.
South America
# Country Population
(2024) Land Area
(Km²) Density
(P/Km²)
1 Brazil 211,998,573 8,358,140 25
2 Colombia 52,886,363 1,109,500 48
3 Argentina 45,696,159 2,736,690 17
4 Peru 34,217,848 1,280,000 27
5 Venezuela 28,405,543 882,050 32
6 Chile 19,764,771 743,532 27
7 Ecuador 18,135,478 248,360 73
8 Bolivia 12,413,315 1,083,300 11
9 Paraguay 6,929,153 397,300 17
10 Uruguay 3,386,588 175,020 19
11 Guyana 831,087 196,850 4
12 Suriname 634,431 156,000 4
13 French Guiana 308,522 82,200 4
14 Falkland Islands 3,470 12,170 0
Acronicta americana, the American dagger moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It was originally described by Thaddeus William Harris in 1841 and is native to North America.
The North American Porcupine, or Canadian Porcupine, is the largest porcupine species in North America. It is distributed across various habitats and can reach three feet with tails up to a foot long.
It has around 30,000 barbed, hollow quills embedded into its skin or hair and can easily detach from the porcupine's body. Additionally, North American Porcupines feed on various vegetation, making it a nuisance to foresters. Predators like the North American golden eagles also hunt them.
One peculiar habit of the porcupine is self-anointing, which involves creating a paste and meticulously applying it to its quills. Scientists still do not know the reason behind this behavior.
The American Eel lives in the far-flung corners of the North Atlantic. It has a snakelike body and can grow up to five feet, though most individuals measure only two to three feet.
Its skin ranges from yellow to green-brown, and it has a lighter belly, camouflaging it in riverbeds and coastal waters.
These types of eels are both freshwater and saltwater eels. They spend most of their lives in freshwater or brackish environments. However, during the breeding season, they migrate to the ocean.
Additionally, these true eels eat various prey, such as insects, crustaceans, and fish. At night, the American eel emerges from the sand to hunt. They also don’t hesitate to step onto land for food.
American Crows are approximately 16-21 inches long, showcasing an iridescent, uniform black color. These daring birds in North America adapt comfortably to open habitats, flourishing in farmlands, forests, and cities.
Their diets are notably diverse, scavenging on grains, fruits, insects, small animals, carrion, and human food waste. Scientists have also observed them modifying wood and using it to probe a small hole where a spider lives.
Regarding parenting, the Corvidae family is practicing cooperative breeding. In the 1980s, Lawrence Kilham first observed adult and yearling American Crows take turns in parenting. Young crows can stay with their parents for five years or longer1.
Moreover, the West Nile Virus has impacted their numbers by 45% since 1999. Fortunately, thanks to their resilience, they are still a species of least concern.
The American crocodile reaches a hearty 13.5 feet in length, sporting broad snouts studded with sharp teeth for grappling prey.
They are the only crocodile species native to the US, primarily seen in southern Florida and at times sighted in Louisiana and Texas. Their olive-gray hue provides excellent camouflage in their surroundings, hiding them from prey until the ideal strike moment.
Because of their adaptability, these crocs are the most widespread of all species living in America. They can survive in fresh wetlands, coastal lagoons, and river estuaries and even handle saltwater, courtesy of special glands that filter out excess salt. Other types of crocodiles may have tolerance to salt. Still, only the American crocodile4, other than Saltwater Crocodiles, can thrive in saltwater environments.
Despite their formidable presence and efficient predation, they tend to be reserved and mainly avoid humans. Males are territorial, and despite their solitary life, they contribute significantly to the ecosystem by keeping prey populations in check.
The South American Rattlesnake, also called Tropical Rattlesnake, presents a mix of tans and browns, beautifully designed with diamond-shaped markings along its back. Averaging between 4 and 5 feet, it sports longitudinal rows of keeled scales, lending to its rugged surface texture.
Naturally occupying a broad range of habitats, it is typically found in forests, grasslands, and deserts across South America. This species is active the most during the early morning and dusk. Its diet primarily consists of small mammals, but it also preys on lizards in other areas.
The American Red Squirrel is a small, active rodent in North America's coniferous forests. Their fur is reddish and can range from a soft rusty red to a deep chestnut brown.
They are most active during the early morning and late afternoon, searching for food or guarding their territory.
Likewise, they eat coniferous tree seeds, mushrooms, fruits, and berries, and sometimes even bird eggs or young birds.
They observe "larder hoarding" to store food in a central cache for the winter months, showcasing their industrious nature.
The North American River Otter can survive in various habitats ranging from the icy rivers of Alaska to the humid marshlands of Florida.
These mustelids have a streamlined body, weighing 25 pounds and standing up to 3.5 feet. They also have a broad, flattened head and thick fur, insulating them against the cold of their watery habitats.
These otters have a varied diet, with fish being their main staple. In addition to fish, they also eat amphibians, crustaceans, small mammals, and birds.
Interestingly, North American River Otters perform a poop dance and use designated "latrine sites" for their waste deposits.
