American Crocodile Population Making A Comeback In South Florida: Report | HuffPost

American Crocodile Making A Comeback As Nuisance Calls Rise

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As if alligators, sharks, and pythons that swim in salt water weren't already a constant worry in the minds of water-loving South Floridians, experts say the threatened American Crocodile population has rebounded heartily from a count of less than 300 in the 1970s.

The imperiled population has grown to an estimated 1,500 crocs despite a freeze two years ago that killed hundreds, reports the Miami Herald, and Florida Fish And Wildlife says from just 10 to 20 documented nests there are now more than 100 on record.

That's a good thing for the crocodile, a reportedly bashful snaggletooth whose only U.S. home is South Florida, in the salty and brackish ponds, creeks in mangrove swamps, and even freshwater canals that dot the landscape.

But as the Herald reports, more crocodiles means more encounters with humans. Though crocodilian expert and HuffPost blogger Frank J. Mazzotti confirms the American crocodile is shy of man -- its reputation earned largely by its aggressive relatives in Africa and Australia -- at least one dog has been snatched off a dock in the Florida Keys, and nuisance calls are on the rise:

Last year, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission fielded 106 "nuisance" croc calls — with more than 80 percent of those from Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, which boast prime breeding grounds along Florida Bay and the highest concentration of crocs...
"As their numbers grow, so does the risk, said [biologist Mark] Parry. “Sooner or later there will probably be, just like with the Florida panther, a first attack on a human."

Interesting facts about crocodiles, according to the Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission:

Crocodiles are most active between dusk and dawn, so swimming is only recommended during daylight hours. (Source)

Often spotted with their mouths open, crocodiles' "gaping" behavior is a method of regulating body temperature and not an indicator of aggression. (Source)

Crocodiles normally enter the water quietly, so a splashing sound indicates a croc is frightened. (Source)

State and federal law prohibits killing, harassing, or possessing crocodiles. (Source)

Dogs are more susceptible to being bitten than humans because they resemble the shape of crocodiles' natural prey. (Source)

Crocodiles were first spotted here in Biscayne Bay in the 1800s. (Source)

Construction of the cooling canal system at Florida Power & Light's Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant created a nesting habitat where none had existed. (Source)

Crocodiles have been found as far north as Jupiter Beach on the east coast, where onlookers captured it in a net (Source: Sun-Sentinel) and St. Petersburg on the west, where a homeowner captured the first image of a croc in Tampa Bay in at least half a century (Source: St. Pete Times).

The most common thing people want to know, however, is how to tell the difference between a crocodile and an alligator. See the slideshow below for more, including images of conservation in process and crocs from around the world:

American Crocodile Rebounds In Florida

Crocodile vs. Alligator(01 of14)

How to tell the difference: Crocodiles are lighter, grayish-green in color. They sport a more tapered snout with an exposed fourth tooth both sides of their closed lower jaw. Additionally, if crocs have markings they are dark stripes on their tail and body. Alligators are darker, black in color with a broad, rounded snout and no exposed teeth when the jaws are shut. If present, an alligator's stripes are light in color on its tail and body. Source: FWC (credit:FWC)

Conservation Efforts, 2003(02 of14)

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - JULY 11: Joe Wasilewski releases two endangered American Crocodiles in a fresh water pond near the Florida Power & Light's Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant July 11, 2003 near Homestead, Florida. A biologist, Wasilewski studies the reptile which is found only in the southern part of Florida. Of the hatchlings released, most will not survive. Wasilewski estimates that approximately five or 10 percent of the hatchlings will live to maturity; the rest will be eaten by birds and other crocodiles. Wasilewski monitors crocodile nests and counts and tags the hatchlings as part of a larger government effort to protect the endangered species. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

Conservation Efforts, 2003(03 of14)

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - JULY 11: Joe Wasilewski weighs an endangered American Crocodile at the Florida Power & Light's Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant lab July 11, 2003 near Homestead, Florida. A biologist, Wasilewski studies the reptile which is found only in the southern part of Florida by weighing, measuring and injecting a microchip to track them. After release, Wasilewski continues to monitor the crocodile nests and counts and tags any new hatchlings as part of a larger government effort to protect the endangered species. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

Conservation Efforts, 2003(04 of14)

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - JULY 11: Joe Wasilewski measures an endangered American Crocodile at the Florida Power & Light's Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant lab July 11, 2003 near Homestead, Florida. A biologist, Wasilewski studies the reptile which is found only in the southern part of Florida by weighing, measuring and injecting a microchip to track them. After release, Wasilewski continues to monitor the crocodile nests and counts and tags any new hatchlings as part of a larger government effort to protect the endangered species. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

Conservation Efforts, 2003(05 of14)

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - JULY 11: Joe Wasilewski releases two endangered American Crocodiles into a fresh water pond near the Florida Power & Light's Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant July 11, 2003 near Homestead, Florida. A biologist, Wasilewski studies the reptile which is found only in the southern part of Florida. Of the hatchlings released, most will not survive. Wasilewski estimates that approximately five or 10 percent of the hatchlings will live to maturity; the rest will be eaten by birds and other crocodiles. Wasilewski monitors the crocodile nests and counts and tags the hatchlings as part of a larger government effort to protect the endangered species. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

Conservation Efforts, 2003(06 of14)

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - JULY 11: An American Crocodile floats in the water near the Florida Power & Light's Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant July 11, 2003 near Homestead, Florida. A biologist, Joe Wasilewski studies the reptile which is found only in the southern part of Florida. Wasilewski monitors crocodiles nests and counts and tags the hatchlings as part of a larger government effort to protect the endangered species. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

Conservation Efforts, 2003(07 of14)

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - JULY 11: An American Crocodile hatches from its shell near the Florida Power & Light's Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant July 11, 2003 near Homestead, Florida. Joe Wasilewski, a biologist, studies the reptile which is found only in the southern part of Florida by taking the hatchling to his lab to weigh, measure and inject a microchip to track them. Wasilewski will then release them and continue to monitor the crocodiles while they mature. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

Conservation Efforts, 2003(08 of14)

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - JULY 11: American Crocodiles hatch from their shells near the Florida Power & Light's Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant July 11, 2003 near Homestead, Florida. Joe Wasilewski, a biologist, studies the reptile which is found only in the southern part of Florida by taking the hatchling to his lab to weigh, measure and inject a microchip to track them. Wasilewski will then release them and continue to monitor the crocodiles while they mature. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

Conservation Efforts, 2003(09 of14)

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - JULY 11: An American Crocodile hatches from its shell near the Florida Power & Light's Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant July 11, 2003 near Homestead, Florida. Joe Wasilewski, a biologist, studies the reptile which is found only in the southern part of Florida by taking the hatchling to his lab to weigh, measure and inject a microchip to track them. Wasilewski will then release them and continue to monitor the crocodiles while they mature. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

Conservation Efforts, 2003(10 of14)

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - JULY 11: Joe Wasilewski prepares to release two endangered American Crocodiles into a fresh water pond near the Florida Power & Light's Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant July 11, 2003 near Homestead, Florida. A biologist, Wasilewski studies the reptile which is found only in the southern part of Florida. Of the hatchlings released, most will not survive. Wasilewski estimates that approximately five or 10 percent of the hatchlings will live to maturity; the rest will be eaten by birds and other crocodiles. Wasilewski monitors the crocodile nests and counts and tags the hatchlings as part of a larger government effort to protect the endangered species. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

World's Largest Captive Croc(11 of14)

Australian zoologist Adam Britton measures a captive crocodile in Bunawan town, Agusan del Sur province, in the Philippines southern island of Mindanao on November 9, 2011. A small Philippine town on Novemer 9 laid claim to having the world's largest captive crocodile after an Australian expert measured the saltwater beast at 20.3 feet (6.187 metres). The male reptile was captured in Bunawan in the Agusan marsh on the southern island of Mindanao in September and measured on Wednesday by Australian zoologist Adam Britton, Bunawan town council member Apollo Canoy said. AFP PHOTO/RICHARD GRANDE (Photo credit should read RICHARD GRANDE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

Saltwater Croc, Australia(12 of14)

Reptile keeper Billy Collett offers a 5kg salmon adorned in Christmas decorations to 'Elvis' the five-metre-long saltwater crocodile at the Australian Reptile Park near Sydney on December 22, 2011. The park displays 157 species of native and exotic fauna as well as hosts a breeding programme for endangered animals. AFP PHOTO / Torsten BLACKWOOD (Photo credit should read TORSTEN BLACKWOOD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

Nepalese Crocodiles(13 of14)

Gharial crocodiles are seen at a reptile farm in Chitwan National Park, around 200 kilometres southwest of Kathmandu, on December 27, 2011. The Chitwan National Park covers 932 square kilometers of jungle and is the first wildlife park in Nepal, providing a safer environment for endangered species such as the one-horned rhino and the royal bengal tiger. AFP PHOTO/Prakash MATHEMA (Photo credit should read PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

Australian Croc Pens(14 of14)

This aerial view shows crocodile pens near Cairns after Cyclone Yasi, on February 3, 2011. Australia's biggest cyclone in a century shattered entire towns after striking the coast and churning across the vast country, but officials expressed relief that no one was killed. Terrified residents emerged to check the damage after Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi hit land at around midnight, packing winds of up to 290 kilometres (180 miles) per hour, in a region still reeling from record floods. AFP PHOTO / Paul CROCK (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

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