The American Crocodile is a large, very rare, shy reptile. It has a long, tapered, triangular-shaped snout. Crocodiles swim very well, propelling themselves through the water mainly using their tails, but also using their webbed feet. They have no predators except humans. The genus and species of the American Crocodile are Crocodylus acutus.

Habitat: This endangered species spends most of its life in warm, quiet waters, either brackish or salt-water, like mangrove swamps and estuaries (where rivers meet the sea). They live along the coast of Florida, Central America, and parts of South America.

Anatomy: Adult American Crocodiles are gray-green, dark olive, or grayish-brown on their back which has ridged, bony scales. The belly is yellow to white and has smooth scales. They grow up to 15 feet (4.6 m) long. The fourth tooth on either side of the lower jaw is exposed (unlike alligators, whose teeth fit into sockets). They have 66 teeth.

Diet: American Crocodiles are carnivorous (meat-eaters). They eat fish and other animals that they find in or near the water, including turtles, snakes, crustaceans (like crabs), small mammals, and birds. They are nocturnal, hunting mostly at night.
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