Charibbean Crocodile Research Paper
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Species
A total of 14 extant species have been recognized. Further genetic study is needed for the confirmation of proposed species under the genus Osteolaemus, which is currentlymonotypic. Species name | Image | Distribution | Description/Comments | American crocodile(Crocodylus acutus) | | Throughout theCaribbean Basin, including many of theCaribbean islands andSouth Florida. | A larger sized species, with grayish color and a prominent V-shaped snout. Prefers brackish water but also inhabits lower stretches of rivers and true marine environments. This species is one of the rare species that exhibits sea-going behavior regularly, which explains the great distribution throughout the Caribbean. It is also found in hypersaline lakes such as Lago Enriquillo, in the Dominican Republic, which has one of the largest populations of this species.[8] Diet consists mostly of aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates. Classified as Vulnerable, but certain local populations under greater threat. | Slender-snouted crocodile(Crocodylus cataphractus) | | Central …show more content…
It is a relatively terrestrial species with agile locomotion on land, sometimes displays terrestrial hunting. The snout is broad with a thick upper-jaw and large teeth. The unique characteristics and fossil record indicates a rather specialized diet in the past, preying on megafauna such as the giant sloth. This species sometimes displays pack-hunting behavior, which might have been the key to hunting large species in the past, despite its small size.[15] Today most prey are small to medium sized vertebrates. It is Critically Endangered, and yet the remaining wild population is under threat of hybridization.[16]
Species
A total of 14 extant species have been recognized. Further genetic study is needed for the confirmation of proposed species under the genus Osteolaemus, which is currentlymonotypic. Species name | Image | Distribution | Description/Comments | American crocodile(Crocodylus acutus) | | Throughout theCaribbean Basin, including many of theCaribbean islands andSouth Florida. | A larger sized species, with grayish color and a prominent V-shaped snout. Prefers brackish water but also inhabits lower stretches of rivers and true marine environments. This species is one of the rare species that exhibits sea-going behavior regularly, which explains the great distribution throughout the Caribbean. It is also found in hypersaline lakes such as Lago Enriquillo, in the Dominican Republic, which has one of the largest populations of this species.[8] Diet consists mostly of aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates. Classified as Vulnerable, but certain local populations under greater threat. | Slender-snouted crocodile(Crocodylus cataphractus) | | Central …show more content…
It is a relatively terrestrial species with agile locomotion on land, sometimes displays terrestrial hunting. The snout is broad with a thick upper-jaw and large teeth. The unique characteristics and fossil record indicates a rather specialized diet in the past, preying on megafauna such as the giant sloth. This species sometimes displays pack-hunting behavior, which might have been the key to hunting large species in the past, despite its small size.[15] Today most prey are small to medium sized vertebrates. It is Critically Endangered, and yet the remaining wild population is under threat of hybridization.[16]