Species · GBIF taxon 2441352
Morelet's Crocodile
Crocodylus moreletiiAlso known as Mexican Crocodile, Belize Crocodile, Cocodrilo de Pantano
Morelet's crocodiles are modest-sized crocodilians that inhabit freshwater swamps, marshes, and slow-moving rivers along the Atlantic slopes of Mesoamerica. They are highly adaptable predators, hunting a wide variety of prey from snails and fish to small mammals, and are known for building mound nests of vegetation to incubate their eggs. Despite historical declines due to the leather trade, their populations have rebounded significantly, making them a key ecological force in their wetland habitats.
NocturnalCarnivoreSemiaquatic
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Snails
- Fish
- Waterbirds
Predators
- Jaguars
- Coatis (egg predators)
- Large birds of prey (hatchling predators)
ThreatsHabitat destruction, illegal poaching, and hybridization with American crocodiles
HabitatsFreshwater swamps, marshes, lakes, and slow-moving rivers
Life span50 to 65 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCrocodylidae
- SpeciesCrocodylus moreletii
Native
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Capable of defensive attacks; maintain a safe distance of at least 10 meters from the water's edge.
- Why it is dangerous
- Possesses immense bite force and can drag prey underwater, posing a severe risk of injury or death.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a broad, blunt snout, dark grey-brown coloration, and heavy scales with dark bands on the tail.
- What to do
- Never feed, approach, or attempt to handle wild crocodiles; report nuisance individuals to local wildlife authorities.
Responsible observation
- Keep Distance: Never approach crocodiles basking on banks, as they can charge surprisingly fast.
- Avoid Night Swimming: Do not swim in known crocodile habitats, especially after dusk when they hunt.
- Secure Pets: Keep dogs and other pets away from the water's edge in crocodile territory.
Competitor (c) gailhampshire, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Dr. Alexey Yakovlev, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Lukas Plewnia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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