ADW: Crocodylus moreletii: INFORMATION

<!DOCTYPE html> <html xmlns:og="http://ogp.me/ns#" lang="en" xml:lang="en"> <head> <title>ADW: Crocodylus moreletii: INFORMATION</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Crocodylus_moreletii/" /> <script type="text/javascript" src="//code.jquery.com/jquery-3.6.0.min.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//code.jquery.com/jquery-migrate-3.3.2.min.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/static/js/compat.js"></script> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://animaldiversity.org/favicon.ico" /> <link href="//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Gentium+Book+Basic:400,400italic,700,700italic" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> <link href="//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=PT+Sans:400,700,400italic,700italic" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/static/bootstrap/css/bootstrap.css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/css/pica.styles.css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/css/pica.print.css" media="print" />  <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/static/colorbox/colorbox.css" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Crocodylus_moreletii/" /> <meta content="Crocodylus moreletii (Morelet聮s Crocodile)" property="og:title" /> <meta content="website" property="og:type" /> <meta content="Animal Diversity Web" property="og:site_name" /> <meta content="https://animaldiversity.org/collections/contributors/john_white/john_white_reptiles/morelets1/medium.jpg" property="og:image" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@AnimalDiversity" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Crocodylus moreletii (Morelet聮s Crocodile)" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Read about Crocodylus moreletii (Morelet聮s Crocodile) on the Animal Diversity Web." /> <meta name="twitter:image:src" content="https://animaldiversity.org/collections/contributors/john_white/john_white_reptiles/morelets1/medium.jpg" /> <meta name="twitter:image:height" content="452" /> <meta name="twitter:image:width" content="710" /> <meta name="twitter:url" content="https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Crocodylus_moreletii/" /> <script type="text/javascript" src="/static/js/Hyphenator.js"></script> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/social-likes/social-likes_birman.css" /> <style> .social-likes { margin: 0; } .social-likes__widget { margin: 0; } </style>   </head> <body> <div id="outerwrap"> <div id="header" aria-role="header"> <h1> <a id="homelink" href="/">Animal Diversity Web</a> </h1> <div class="umlinks"> <div class="relative"> <a href="https://lsa.umich.edu/ummz/" id="ummzlink">University of Michigan Museum of Zoology</a> <a href="https://www.umich.edu/" id="umlink">University of Michigan</a> </div> </div> </div> <div id="wrap" class="gradient"> <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="row-fluid"> <div class="span2 sidebar left"> <ul class="nav nav-tabs nav-stacked" id="sitemap"> <li> <a href="/">Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/about/">About Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="/animal_names/">About Animal Names</a> </li> <li> <a href="/teach/">Educational Resources</a> </li> <li> <a href="/collections/">Special Collections</a> </li> <li> <a href="/glossary/">Glossary</a> </li> <li> <a href="/accounts/Animalia/">Browse Animalia</a> </li> </ul> <h2 class="offscreen">More Information</h2> <div class="well"> <h3>Additional Information</h3> <ul class="unstyled"> <li> <a href="http://eol.org/search/?q=Crocodylus moreletii&search=Go">Encyclopedia of Life</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="span7_5 blahblahblah main" aria-role="main"> <h2 class="rank-species">Crocodylus moreletii<span class="vernacular-name">Morelet聮s Crocodile</span></h2> <div class="social-likes" data-counters="no"> <div class="facebook" title="Share link on Facebook">Facebook</div> <div class="twitter" title="Share link on Twitter">Twitter</div> </div> <div class="snapshots" aria-hidden="true"> <ul> <li> <a href="/accounts/Crocodylus_moreletii/pictures/collections/contributors/john_white/john_white_reptiles/morelets1/"> <img alt=" " src="/collections/contributors/john_white/john_white_reptiles/morelets1/button.jpg" border="0" /> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/accounts/Crocodylus_moreletii/pictures/collections/contributors/jerry_gingerich/88morletscroc-1alt/"> <img alt=" " src="/collections/contributors/jerry_gingerich/88morletscroc-1alt/button.jpg" border="0" /> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/accounts/Crocodylus_moreletii/pictures/collections/contributors/jerry_gingerich/89morletscroc-4alt/"> <img alt=" " src="/collections/contributors/jerry_gingerich/89morletscroc-4alt/button.jpg" border="0" /> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/accounts/Crocodylus_moreletii/pictures/collections/contributors/john_white/john_white_reptiles/morelets2/"> <img alt=" " src="/collections/contributors/john_white/john_white_reptiles/morelets2/button.jpg" border="0" /> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/accounts/Crocodylus_moreletii/pictures/collections/contributors/jerry_gingerich/90morletscroc-3alt/"> <img alt=" " src="/collections/contributors/jerry_gingerich/90morletscroc-3alt/button.jpg" border="0" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="byline">By Brigid-Catherine Hurley</div> <nav class="contents"> <ul> <li> <a href="#geographic_range">Geographic Range</a> </li> <li> <a href="#habitat">Habitat</a> </li> <li> <a href="#physical_description">Physical Description</a> </li> <li> <a href="#development">Development</a> </li> <li> <a href="#reproduction">Reproduction</a> </li> <li> <a href="#lifespan_longevity">Lifespan/Longevity</a> </li> </ul> <ul> <li> <a href="#behavior">Behavior</a> </li> <li> <a href="#communication">Communication and Perception</a> </li> <li> <a href="#food_habits">Food Habits</a> </li> <li> <a href="#predation">Predation</a> </li> <li> <a href="#ecosystem_roles">Ecosystem Roles</a> </li> <li> <a href="#economic_importance_positive">Economic Importance for Humans: Positive</a> </li> </ul> <ul> <li> <a href="#economic_importance_negative">Economic Importance for Humans: Negative</a> </li> <li> <a href="#conservation_status">Conservation Status</a> </li> <li> <a href="#comments">Other Comments</a> </li> <li> <a href="#contributors">Contributors</a> </li> <li> <a href="#references">References</a> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="inner-wrap"> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="geographic_range">Geographic Range</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Morelet's crocodiles are found on the eastern coastal plain of Mexico, across most of the Yucatan peninsula, and throughout Belize and northern Guatemala. Their range also overlaps that of the <a class="taxon-link" href="/accounts/Crocodylus_acutus/">American crocodile</a>, but the relationships between the two are unknown. Some Morelet's crocodiles have escaped from captive breeding areas in Mexico outside their normal range. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#1cf4826fcac89dfa76830508fbe08863" class="citation">Britton, 2002</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Biogeographic Regions</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020914235803">nearctic</a> <ul> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145365">native</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020915000403">neotropical</a> <ul> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145365">native</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="habitat">Habitat</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Morelet's crocodiles live primarily in freshwater areas such as swamps and marshes and can also be found in forested riparian habitats. Recently, <span rank="Species" class="taxon-link rank-species">C. moreletii</span> has even been found residing in coastal brackish water. Juveniles prefer denser cover for protection, and adults tend to aestivate in burrows during the dry season. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#1cf4826fcac89dfa76830508fbe08863" class="citation">Britton, 2002</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate "> <li class="keywords-header">Habitat Regions</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145595">temperate</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145598">tropical</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145794">terrestrial</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145747">freshwater</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate "> <li class="keywords-header">Terrestrial Biomes</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145828">forest</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate "> <li class="keywords-header">Aquatic Biomes</li> <li> <span>lakes and ponds</span> </li> <li> <span>rivers and streams</span> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145825">coastal</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145435">brackish water</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate "> <li class="keywords-header">Wetlands</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145363">marsh</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145679">swamp</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Other Habitat Features</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145842">riparian</a> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="physical_description">Physical Description</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">The primary distinguishing feature of <span rank="Species" class="taxon-link rank-species">Crocodylus moreletii</span> is the snout, which is uncharacteristically blunt for a crocodile. The snout has nostrils centered at its end. The eyes are situated behind the snout and ears behind the eyes. The location of all the sensory receptors are on the same plane (the top of the head) which allows them to be completely submerged in water and still have the ability to hear, see, and smell. Their eyes, which are silvery-brown, have special eyelids with nictitating membranes covering them, allowing for vision underwater. Morelet's crocodiles generally have 66 to 68 teeth, with the distinguishing purely <a class="taxon-link rank-genus" href="/accounts/Crocodylus/">Crocodylus</a> characteristic of having them in perfect alignment. Their appearance and color is similar to the <a class="taxon-link" href="/accounts/Crocodylus_acutus/">American crocodile</a>, but Morelet's crocodiles tend to be a darker grayish-brown. Adults have dark bands and spots before the tail, while juveniles are a brighter yellow with black banding. Morelet's crocodiles lack bony plates (ventral osteoderums) beneath the skin. They have powerful legs with clawed webbed feet, and large tails that allow them to swim with powerful thrusts. They are medium-sized crocodiles, averaging 3 m and attaining a maximum of 4.7 m. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#a6d8885994a71d97152b67d675e1c36c" class="citation">"Morelet's Crocodile Video", 2003</a>; <a href="#1cf4826fcac89dfa76830508fbe08863" class="citation">Britton, 2002</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate "> <li class="keywords-header">Other Physical Features</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020916131519">ectothermic</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020916125902">heterothermic</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145642">bilateral symmetry</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Sexual Dimorphism</li> <li> <span>male larger</span> </li> </ul> <ul class="aside block-grid donthyphenate three-up"> <li> <dl> <dt>Range mass</dt> <dd>38.5 to 58.1 kg</dd> <dd class="english">84.80 to 127.97 lb</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Average mass</dt> <dd>51 kg</dd> <dd class="english">112.33 lb</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Range length</dt> <dd>2.2 to 4.7 m</dd> <dd class="english">7.22 to 15.42 ft</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Average length</dt> <dd>3.0 m</dd> <dd class="english">9.84 ft</dd> </dl> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="development">Development</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">When born, juveniles generally weigh about 31.9 grams. Morelet's crocodiles have three main life stages, classified through their length: juveniles < 100 cm, sub adults 100-150 cm, and adults >150 cm. Not much information is known about the specific life cycle of this crocodile. As in all crocodilians, however, sex is determined by the incubation temperature of the eggs. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#1cf4826fcac89dfa76830508fbe08863" class="citation">Britton, 2002</a>; <a href="#90d8c4dbc80392d6736fec06d4cbba2c" class="citation">Liesegang and Baumgartner, 2002</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Development - Life Cycle</li> <li> <span>temperature sex determination</span> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="reproduction">Reproduction</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Not much information is known about particular mating habits between males and females, although they appear to follow some of the same mating habits (such as being polygynous) of the American crocodile (<a class="taxon-link rank-species" href="/accounts/Crocodylus_acutus/">Crocodylus acutus</a>). Probably large males dominate the other males in their area, and females prefer to mate with the dominant males. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#1cf4826fcac89dfa76830508fbe08863" class="citation">Britton, 2002</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Mating System</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145840">polygynous</a> </li> </ul> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Oviposition for crocodiles living on the Yucatan primarily takes place in Chiapas between April and June. <span rank="Species" class="taxon-link rank-species">Crocodylus moreletii</span> is unique because it is the only crocodile known to be exclusively mound nesting, laying between 20 and 40 eggs in nests that are approximately 3 m wide by 1 m high. Some nests have been found containing more than one female's eggs.</p> <p audience="advanced intermediate">At hatching time, two to three months after laying the eggs, female Morelet's crocodiles have been known to carry eggs to water areas and crack them open. Reproductive rates are generally high among <span rank="Species" class="taxon-link rank-species">C. moreletii</span> because of the relatively early maturation of the females. Not much information is available about the specific behavior of juveniles or the fertilization process. Research is currently being conducted in these areas. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#9df54295826e85d3b4673248c71c1107" class="citation">Platt and Thorbjarnason, November 2000</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Key Reproductive Features</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145554">iteroparous</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145584">seasonal breeding</a> </li> <li> <span>gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)</span> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145786">sexual</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145546">fertilization</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145572">oviparous</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="aside block-grid donthyphenate three-up"> <li> <dl> <dt>Breeding interval</dt> <dd>Morelet's crocodiles breed once a year directly before the rainy season.</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Breeding season</dt> <dd>Oviposition takes place between April and June. The incubation period lasts 2 to 3 months.</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Range number of offspring</dt> <dd>20 to 40</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)</dt> <dd>7 to 8 years</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)</dt> <dd>7 years</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)</dt> <dd>7 to 8 years</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)</dt> <dd>7 years</dd> </dl> </li> </ul> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Female Morelet's crocodiles guard their nests until the eggs are ready to hatch. Studies among captive <span rank="Species" class="taxon-link rank-species">Crocodylus moreletii</span> show females will respond to newborn vocalizations and open the nests. Males and females will also fiercely defend hatchlings against larger juveniles or other predators. Not much information is known about further interaction between juveniles and parents. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#1cf4826fcac89dfa76830508fbe08863" class="citation">Britton, 2002</a>; <a href="#9df54295826e85d3b4673248c71c1107" class="citation">Platt and Thorbjarnason, November 2000</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Parental Investment</li> <li> <span>pre-fertilization</span> <ul> <li> <span>provisioning</span> </li> <li> <span>protecting</span> <ul> <li> <span>female</span> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <span>pre-hatching/birth</span> <ul> <li> <span>protecting</span> <ul> <li> <span>male</span> </li> <li> <span>female</span> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <span>pre-weaning/fledging</span> <ul> <li> <span>protecting</span> <ul> <li> <span>male</span> </li> <li> <span>female</span> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <span>pre-independence</span> <ul> <li> <span>protecting</span> <ul> <li> <span>male</span> </li> <li> <span>female</span> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="lifespan_longevity">Lifespan/Longevity</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Because they are both rare and difficult to study, not much is known about specific life cycles. Morelet's crocodiles that are bred in captivity appear to have a slightly longer lifespan (up to 80 years) than those that live in the wild (50 to 65 years). Females appear to live slightly longer than males. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#2323b9357e0063358a7c8fb16fd79069" class="citation">Stafford and Meyer, 2000</a>)</span></p> <ul class="aside block-grid donthyphenate three-up"> <li> <dl> <dt>Range lifespan<br /><span>Status: captivity</span></dt> <dd>80 (high) years</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Typical lifespan<br /><span>Status: wild</span></dt> <dd>50 to 65 years</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Average lifespan<br /><span>Status: wild</span></dt> <dd>60 years</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Typical lifespan<br /><span>Status: captivity</span></dt> <dd>55 to 70 years</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Average lifespan<br /><span>Status: captivity</span></dt> <dd>65 years</dd> </dl> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="behavior">Behavior</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Research is currently being conducted into <span rank="Species" class="taxon-link rank-species">C. moreletii</span> social behavior because not much information is available. These crocodiles appear to share similar qualities with the <a class="taxon-link" href="/accounts/Crocodylus_acutus/">American crocodile</a>, such as habitat selection and feeding behaviors. Typically, Morelet's crocodiles can be spotted in wetlands submerged below the surface with just the top of their heads visible. <span rank="Species" class="taxon-link rank-species">Crocodylus moreletii</span> is active primarily at night, when it accomplishes its hunting and mating. It spends the daylight hours basking lazily in the sun, although very alert and aware of what is happening around it. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#1cf4826fcac89dfa76830508fbe08863" class="citation">Britton, 2002</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Key Behaviors</li> <li> <span>terricolous</span> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020914213156">natatorial</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145503">nocturnal</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145472">motile</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145585">sedentary</a> </li> <li> <span>aestivation</span> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145492">social</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="aside block-grid donthyphenate two-up"> <li> <dl> <dt>Range territory size</dt> <dd>16.45 to 18 km^2</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Average territory size</dt> <dd>17.15 km^2</dd> </dl> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="communication">Communication and Perception</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Juveniles communicate through vocalization (known as barking) when born, though not much information is known about specific social communication. They tend to follow the basic patterns of all <a class="taxon-link rank-genus" href="/accounts/Crocodylus/">Crocodylus</a>, which are the most vocal of all reptiles; their calls tend to differ depending on age, sex and situation. They may share the similar habit of the <a class="taxon-link" href="/accounts/Crocodylus_acutus/">American crocodile</a>, whose young are not as vocal as other species, which may be a response to high hunting pressures, resulting in a rapid adaptation for survival.</p> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Scales covering most of the head and parts of the body are equipped with integumentary sense organs (ISO's) that perform a number of tasks, such as detecting pressure, salinity, and vibrations. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#1cf4826fcac89dfa76830508fbe08863" class="citation">Britton, 2002</a>; <a href="#2323b9357e0063358a7c8fb16fd79069" class="citation">Stafford and Meyer, 2000</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate "> <li class="keywords-header">Communication Channels</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145694">visual</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145500">tactile</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145822">acoustic</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Perception Channels</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145694">visual</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145500">tactile</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145822">acoustic</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145852">vibrations</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145606">chemical</a> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="food_habits">Food Habits</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Morelet's crocodiles vary in diet according to their age and size. Juveniles eat small invertebrates and <a class="taxon-link" href="/accounts/Actinopterygii/">fish</a>. Sub adults feed on aquatic <a class="taxon-link" href="/accounts/Gastropoda/">snails</a>, <a class="taxon-link" href="/accounts/Actinopterygii/">fish</a>, small <a class="taxon-link" href="/accounts/Aves/">birds</a>, and <a class="taxon-link" href="/accounts/Mammalia/">mammals</a>. Adults feed on larger prey, including <a class="taxon-link" href="/accounts/Aves/">birds</a>, <a class="taxon-link" href="/accounts/Actinopterygii/">fish</a>, <span class="taxon-name">lizards</span>, <a class="taxon-link" href="/accounts/Testudines/">turtles</a>, and domestic animals such as <a class="taxon-link" href="/accounts/Canis_lupus_familiaris/">dogs</a>. They can also become cannibalistic in times of low food, eating newborns. <span rank="Species" class="taxon-link rank-species">Crocodylus moreletii</span> is generally shy around humans, but larger ones may attack if provoked. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#a6d8885994a71d97152b67d675e1c36c" class="citation">"Morelet's Crocodile Video", 2003</a>; <a href="#1cf4826fcac89dfa76830508fbe08863" class="citation">Britton, 2002</a>; <a href="#df9a1482cb2c8535f1b8de407cc24617" class="citation">Rainwater, et al., 2002</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate "> <li class="keywords-header">Primary Diet</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145419">carnivore</a> <ul> <li> <span>eats terrestrial vertebrates</span> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145838">piscivore</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Animal Foods</li> <li> <span>birds</span> </li> <li> <span>mammals</span> </li> <li> <span>amphibians</span> </li> <li> <span>reptiles</span> </li> <li> <span>fish</span> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020913233224">carrion</a> </li> <li> <span>insects</span> </li> <li> <span>mollusks</span> </li> <li> <span>aquatic crustaceans</span> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="predation">Predation</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">While Morelet's crocodiles tend to be dominant predators in their communities, their eggs and young often fall prey to older juveniles, larger <a class="taxon-link" href="/accounts/Mammalia/">mammals</a>, <span class="taxon-name">snakes</span>, <a class="taxon-link" href="/accounts/Ciconiiformes/">wading birds</a>, and <a class="taxon-link" href="/accounts/Laridae/">gulls</a>. A key protection from predators is their tough hide and their loud vocal cries. Larger individuals are potentially preyed upon by humans and <a class="taxon-link" href="/accounts/Panthera_onca/">jaguars</a>. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#1cf4826fcac89dfa76830508fbe08863" class="citation">Britton, 2002</a>)</span></p> <ul class="aside block-grid donthyphenate one-up"> <li> <dl> <dt>Known Predators</dt> <dd> <ul> <li>rats (<a class="taxon-link rank-genus" href="/accounts/Rattus/">Rattus</a>)</li> <li>wading birds (<a class="taxon-link rank-family" href="/accounts/Ardeidae/">Ardeidae</a>)</li> <li>large snakes (<span class="taxon-name">Serpentes</span>)</li> <li>gulls (<a class="taxon-link rank-genus" href="/accounts/Larus/">Larus</a>)</li> <li>jaguars (<a class="taxon-link rank-species" href="/accounts/Panthera_onca/">Panthera onca</a>)</li> </ul> </dd> </dl> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="ecosystem_roles">Ecosystem Roles</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">While not much information is known about the specific impact of the Morelet's crocodiles on their ecosystem, they do share many similar traits with the <a class="taxon-link" href="/accounts/Crocodylus_acutus/">American crocodile</a>, such as the role of primary carnivore in the ecosystem, thus affecting nutrient dispersal and ecosystem dynamics. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#f132d89479f19582a69979657775fa0b" class="citation">Richardson, 2003</a>)</span></p> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="economic_importance_positive">Economic Importance for Humans: Positive</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Unlike most other species of crocodilian, Morelet's crocodiles have no bony plates (called osteoderms) in their skin. This makes the skin more valuable as leather, and has motivated over-hunting.</p> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Also, studies of the levels of mercury within the eggs of Morelet's crocodiles in Belize has also led to clues about biological contamination there. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#1cf4826fcac89dfa76830508fbe08863" class="citation">Britton, 2002</a>; <a href="#df9a1482cb2c8535f1b8de407cc24617" class="citation">Rainwater, et al., 2002</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Positive Impacts</li> <li> <span>body parts are source of valuable material</span> </li> <li> <span>research and education</span> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="economic_importance_negative">Economic Importance for Humans: Negative</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Although generally shy, as with any crocodile, <span rank="Species" class="taxon-link rank-species">C. moreletii</span> has been known to bite humans if provoked. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#05167da2f7504870922cb94a02445397" class="citation">Matthews, 1995</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Negative Impacts</li> <li> <span>injures humans</span> <ul> <li> <span>bites or stings</span> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="conservation_status">Conservation Status</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Due to their valuable hide, Morelet's crocodiles were hunted almost to extinction through the years 1940 to 1950. Under the Mexican Wildlife Protection Act, hunting them became illegal and their numbers have steadily risen, although illegal poaching and habitat loss continue to threaten the animal. To counteract this, Mexico has begun breeding Morelet's crocodiles in captivity. However, some individuals have escaped to form feral populations outside of their regular breeding zones, creating a problem for the populations of <a class="taxon-link" href="/accounts/Crocodylus_acutus/">American crocodile</a>, which must compete with this newly-invasive species. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#05167da2f7504870922cb94a02445397" class="citation">Matthews, 1995</a>; <a href="#9df54295826e85d3b4673248c71c1107" class="citation">Platt and Thorbjarnason, November 2000</a>)</span></p> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Now primary focus remains in the development of sustainable use programs, such as commercial farming. More general knowledge about the species is required first, however. Status in the south of Belize is unknown; reports suggest the species is widely distributed in the Mexican states of Tabasco, Chiapas, Yucatan and Quintana Roo, and their situation in the interior of Guatemala is unknown. There remains little information on both specific numbers and general behavior patterns needed to judge their actual status throughout most of its range. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#1cf4826fcac89dfa76830508fbe08863" class="citation">Britton, 2002</a>; <a href="#9df54295826e85d3b4673248c71c1107" class="citation">Platt and Thorbjarnason, November 2000</a>)</span></p> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Morelet's crocodiles are listed as Endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and are included in Appendix I of the CITES Treaty. The IUCN rates the species as "Lower Risk", but this rating would revert to Threatened or Endangered if ongoing conservation efforts were ended.</p> <ul class="aside block-grid donthyphenate three-up"> <li> <dl> <dt> <a class="external-link" href="http://www.iucnredlist.org/">IUCN Red List</a> </dt> <dd> <span>Lower Risk - Conservation Dependent</span> <br /> <small> <a class="external-link" href="http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/5663"> More information </a> </small> </dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt> <a class="external-link" href="http://www.iucnredlist.org/">IUCN Red List</a> </dt> <dd> <span>Lower Risk - Conservation Dependent</span> <br /> <small> <a class="external-link" href="http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/5663"> More information </a> </small> </dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt> <a class="external-link" href="http://www.fws.gov/endangered/">US Federal List</a> </dt> <dd> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145848">Threatened</a> </dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt> <a class="external-link" href="http://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php">CITES</a> </dt> <dd> <span>Appendix I</span> </dd> </dl> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="comments">Other Comments</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Texas Tech currently maintains extensive research in Belize studying the genetics of different populations and the impact of various pesticides and heavy metal contamination throughout this species. Other research institutions include the Lamanai Research Center in Belize and researcher Howard Hunt of the Atlanta Zoo in Cox Lagoon, Belize. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#1cf4826fcac89dfa76830508fbe08863" class="citation">Britton, 2002</a>)</span></p> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="contributors">Contributors</h3> <p>George Hammond (editor), Animal Diversity Web. </p> <p>Allison Poor (editor), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. </p> <p>Brigid-Catherine Hurley (author), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Phil Myers (editor), Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. </p> </section> <section class="offscreen"> <h3 id="glossary">Glossary</h3> <div id="20020914235803"> <dl> <dt>Nearctic</dt> <dd> <p>living in the Nearctic biogeographic province, the northern part of the New World. This includes Greenland, the Canadian Arctic islands, and all of the North American as far south as the highlands of central Mexico.</p> <p align="center"> <img alt="World Map" src="/images/worldmap.2001.jpg" /> </p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020915000403"> <dl> <dt>Neotropical</dt> <dd> <p>living in the southern part of the New World. In other words, Central and South America.</p> <p align="center"> <img alt="World Map" src="/images/worldmap.2001.jpg" /> </p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145822"> <dl> <dt>acoustic</dt> <dd> <p>uses sound to communicate</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145642"> <dl> <dt>bilateral symmetry</dt> <dd> <p>having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145435"> <dl> <dt>brackish water</dt> <dd> <p>areas with salty water, usually in coastal marshes and estuaries.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145419"> <dl> <dt>carnivore</dt> <dd> <p>an animal that mainly eats meat</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020913233224"> <dl> <dt>carrion</dt> <dd> <p>flesh of dead animals.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145606"> <dl> <dt>chemical</dt> <dd> <p>uses smells or other chemicals to communicate</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145825"> <dl> <dt>coastal</dt> <dd> <p>the nearshore aquatic habitats near a coast, or shoreline.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020916131519"> <dl> <dt>ectothermic</dt> <dd> <p>animals which must use heat acquired from the environment and behavioral adaptations to regulate body temperature</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145546"> <dl> <dt>fertilization</dt> <dd> <p>union of egg and spermatozoan</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145828"> <dl> <dt>forest</dt> <dd> <p>forest biomes are dominated by trees, otherwise forest biomes can vary widely in amount of precipitation and seasonality.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145747"> <dl> <dt>freshwater</dt> <dd> <p>mainly lives in water that is not salty.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020916125902"> <dl> <dt>heterothermic</dt> <dd> <p>having a body temperature that fluctuates with that of the immediate environment; having no mechanism or a poorly developed mechanism for regulating internal body temperature.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145554"> <dl> <dt>iteroparous</dt> <dd> <p>offspring are produced in more than one group (litters, clutches, etc.) and across multiple seasons (or other periods hospitable to reproduction). Iteroparous animals must, by definition, survive over multiple seasons (or periodic condition changes).</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145363"> <dl> <dt>marsh</dt> <dd> <p>marshes are wetland areas often dominated by grasses and reeds.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145472"> <dl> <dt>motile</dt> <dd> <p>having the capacity to move from one place to another.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020914213156"> <dl> <dt>natatorial</dt> <dd> <p>specialized for swimming</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145365"> <dl> <dt>native range</dt> <dd> <p>the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145503"> <dl> <dt>nocturnal</dt> <dd> <p>active during the night</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145572"> <dl> <dt>oviparous</dt> <dd> <p>reproduction in which eggs are released by the female; development of offspring occurs outside the mother's body.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145838"> <dl> <dt>piscivore</dt> <dd> <p>an animal that mainly eats fish</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145840"> <dl> <dt>polygynous</dt> <dd> <p>having more than one female as a mate at one time</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145842"> <dl> <dt>riparian</dt> <dd> <p>Referring to something living or located adjacent to a waterbody (usually, but not always, a river or stream).</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145584"> <dl> <dt>seasonal breeding</dt> <dd> <p>breeding is confined to a particular season</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145585"> <dl> <dt>sedentary</dt> <dd> <p>remains in the same area</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145786"> <dl> <dt>sexual</dt> <dd> <p>reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145492"> <dl> <dt>social</dt> <dd> <p>associates with others of its species; forms social groups.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145679"> <dl> <dt>swamp</dt> <dd> <p>a wetland area that may be permanently or intermittently covered in water, often dominated by woody vegetation.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145500"> <dl> <dt>tactile</dt> <dd> <p>uses touch to communicate</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145595"> <dl> <dt>temperate</dt> <dd> <p>that region of the Earth between 23.5 degrees North and 60 degrees North (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle) and between 23.5 degrees South and 60 degrees South (between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle).</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145794"> <dl> <dt>terrestrial</dt> <dd> <p>Living on the ground.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145848"> <dl> <dt>threatened</dt> <dd> <p>The term is used in the 1994 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals to refer collectively to species categorized as Endangered (E), Vulnerable (V), Rare (R), Indeterminate (I), or Insufficiently Known (K) and in the 1996 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals to refer collectively to species categorized as Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), or Vulnerable (VU).</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145598"> <dl> <dt>tropical</dt> <dd> <p>the region of the earth that surrounds the equator, from 23.5 degrees north to 23.5 degrees south.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145852"> <dl> <dt>vibrations</dt> <dd> <p>movements of a hard surface that are produced by animals as signals to others</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145694"> <dl> <dt>visual</dt> <dd> <p>uses sight to communicate</p> </dd> </dl> </div> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="references">References</h3> <p id="d63d948ebd63442debc44c6af2ec6e25">Belize Biodiversity Information System-Morelet's Crocodile. Belize: Wildlife Conservation Society. 01/19/98. Accessed (Date Unknown) at <tt><a href="http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/wcs/030970.HTM">http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/wcs/030970.HTM</a></tt>. </p> <p id="a6d8885994a71d97152b67d675e1c36c">Belize Zoo. 2003. "Morelet's Crocodile Video" (On-line video). Accessed March 18, 2003 at <tt><a href="http://www.belizezoo.org/zoo/zoo/herps/cro/cro1.html">http://www.belizezoo.org/zoo/zoo/herps/cro/cro1.html</a></tt>. </p> <p id="1cf4826fcac89dfa76830508fbe08863">Britton, A. 2002. "Crocodilian Species-Morelet's Crocodile (Crocodylis Moreletii)" (On-line ). Crocodilian Species List. Accessed 03/18/03 at <tt><a href="http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology/brittoncrocs/csl.html">http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology/brittoncrocs/csl.html</a></tt>. </p> <p id="90d8c4dbc80392d6736fec06d4cbba2c">Liesegang, D. A., D. K. Baumgartner. 2002. "Rickets in juvenile Morelet's Crocodile" (On-line ). Accessed 03/18/03 at <tt><a href="http://www.research-projects.unizh.ch/vet/unit51100/area217/p2373.htm">http://www.research-projects.unizh.ch/vet/unit51100/area217/p2373.htm</a></tt>. </p> <p id="05167da2f7504870922cb94a02445397">Matthews, D. 1995. "Four Faces of Mexico; in the Yucatan, a wild and seldom visited wetland". <span style="font-style: italic">Washtington Post</span>, 01908286: E01. </p> <p id="9df54295826e85d3b4673248c71c1107">Platt, S. G., J. B. Thorbjarnason. November 2000. Population Status and Conservation of Morelet's Crocodile. <span style="font-style: italic">Biological Conservation</span>, 96/1: 21-29. </p> <p id="df9a1482cb2c8535f1b8de407cc24617">Rainwater, T., B. Adair, S. Platt, T. Anderson, G. Cobb. 2002. Mercury in Morelet's Crocodile Eggs from Northern Belize. <span style="font-style: italic">Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology</span>, 10.1007/s00244-001-0020-7: 319-324. </p> <p id="f132d89479f19582a69979657775fa0b">Richardson, D. C. J. 2003. "The American Crocodile" (On-line ). Accessed 04/09/03 at <tt><a href="http://www.env.duke.edu/wetland/american.htm">http://www.env.duke.edu/wetland/american.htm</a></tt>. </p> <p id="2323b9357e0063358a7c8fb16fd79069">Stafford, P. J., J. R. Meyer. 2000. <span style="font-style: italic">A Guide to the Reptiles of Belize</span>. London: Natural History Museum of London. </p> </section> </div> </div> <div class="span2_5 right sidebar"> <div class="well" id="pocket-guide-link"> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/adw-pocket-guide/id916179421?mt=8" target="_blank"><i class="icon-download icon-white" style="vertical-align: bottom"></i> ADW Pocket Guides on the iOS App Store! </a> <p>The Animal Diversity Web team is excited to announce ADW Pocket Guides!</p> <p> <a href="/news/5009059054038197651/">Read more...</a> </p> </div> <h2 class="offscreen">Search</h2> <div id="site-search"> <form action="/search" method="GET"> <label for="q" class="offscreen">Enter search text</label> <input value="" id="q" name="q" class="span12" size="15" type="text" placeholder="Search ADW" /> <button class="btn"> <i class="icon-zoom-in"></i> <span class="offscreen">Search</span> </button> <p style="max-height: 35px"> <label for="feature-list" class="offscreen">Search in feature</label> <select size="1" name="feature" class="feature-list input-medium" id="feature-list"> <option value="INFORMATION">Taxon Information</option> <option value="COLLECTIONS">Contributor Galleries</option> <option value="TOPICS">Topics</option> <option value="CLASSIFICATION">Classification</option> </select> </p> </form> <ul class="unstyled"> <li> <a href="https://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/quaardvark/">Explore Data @ Quaardvark</a> </li> <li> <a href="/search_guide/">Search Guide</a> </li> </ul> </div> <h2 class="offscreen">Navigation Links</h2> <dl class="tabbed features"> <dd class="feature-information active"> <a name="feature-information" href="/accounts/Crocodylus_moreletii/" class="active" id="feature-information"> Information </a> </dd> <dd class="feature-pictures"> <a name="feature-pictures" href="/accounts/Crocodylus_moreletii/pictures/" id="feature-pictures"> Pictures </a> </dd> <dd class="feature-classification"> <a name="feature-classification" href="/accounts/Crocodylus_moreletii/classification/#Crocodylus_moreletii" id="feature-classification"> Classification </a> </dd> </dl> <div class="classification well"> <h3>Classification</h3> <ul class="unstyled"> <li> <span class="rank">Kingdom</span> <a href="/accounts/Animalia/" class="taxon-name rank-kingdom">Animalia</a> <span class="vernacular-name">animals</span> <div class="features"> <a href="/accounts/Animalia/" class="feature feature-information" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Animalia: information (1)" data-delay="250" data-total="4749">Animalia: information (1)</a> <a href="/accounts/Animalia/pictures/" class="feature feature-pictures" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Animalia: pictures (22861)" data-delay="250">Animalia: pictures (22861)</a> <a href="/accounts/Animalia/specimens/" class="feature feature-specimens" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Animalia: specimens (7109)" data-delay="250">Animalia: specimens (7109)</a> <a href="/accounts/Animalia/sounds/" class="feature feature-sounds" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Animalia: sounds (722)" data-delay="250">Animalia: sounds (722)</a> <a href="/accounts/Animalia/maps/" class="feature feature-maps" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Animalia: maps (42)" data-delay="250">Animalia: maps (42)</a> </div> </li> <li> <span class="rank">Phylum</span> <a href="/accounts/Chordata/" class="taxon-name rank-phylum">Chordata</a> <span class="vernacular-name">chordates</span> <div class="features"> <a href="/accounts/Chordata/" class="feature feature-information" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Chordata: information (1)" data-delay="250" data-total="3902">Chordata: information (1)</a> <a href="/accounts/Chordata/pictures/" class="feature feature-pictures" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Chordata: pictures (15213)" data-delay="250">Chordata: pictures (15213)</a> <a href="/accounts/Chordata/specimens/" class="feature feature-specimens" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Chordata: specimens (6829)" data-delay="250">Chordata: specimens (6829)</a> <a href="/accounts/Chordata/sounds/" class="feature feature-sounds" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Chordata: sounds (709)" data-delay="250">Chordata: sounds (709)</a> <span class="feature-off feature-maps"></span> </div> </li> <li> <span class="rank">Subphylum</span> <a href="/accounts/Vertebrata/" class="taxon-name rank-subphylum">Vertebrata</a> <span class="vernacular-name">vertebrates</span> <div class="features"> <a href="/accounts/Vertebrata/" class="feature feature-information" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Vertebrata: information (1)" data-delay="250" data-total="3899">Vertebrata: information (1)</a> <a href="/accounts/Vertebrata/pictures/" class="feature feature-pictures" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Vertebrata: pictures (15168)" data-delay="250">Vertebrata: pictures (15168)</a> <a href="/accounts/Vertebrata/specimens/" class="feature feature-specimens" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Vertebrata: specimens (6827)" data-delay="250">Vertebrata: specimens (6827)</a> <a href="/accounts/Vertebrata/sounds/" class="feature feature-sounds" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Vertebrata: sounds (709)" data-delay="250">Vertebrata: sounds (709)</a> <span class="feature-off feature-maps"></span> </div> </li> <li> <span class="rank">Class</span> <a href="/accounts/Reptilia/" class="taxon-name rank-class">Reptilia</a> <span class="vernacular-name">turtles, snakes, lizards, and relatives</span> <div class="features"> <a href="/accounts/Reptilia/" class="feature feature-information" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Reptilia: information (1)" data-delay="250" data-total="1230">Reptilia: information (1)</a> <a href="/accounts/Reptilia/pictures/" class="feature feature-pictures" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Reptilia: pictures (8809)" data-delay="250">Reptilia: pictures (8809)</a> <a href="/accounts/Reptilia/specimens/" class="feature feature-specimens" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Reptilia: specimens (170)" data-delay="250">Reptilia: specimens (170)</a> <a href="/accounts/Reptilia/sounds/" class="feature feature-sounds" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Reptilia: sounds (676)" data-delay="250">Reptilia: sounds (676)</a> <span class="feature-off feature-maps"></span> </div> </li> <li> <span class="rank">Order</span> <a href="/accounts/Crocodylia/" class="taxon-name rank-order">Crocodylia</a> <span class="vernacular-name"></span> <div class="features"> <a href="/accounts/Crocodylia/" class="feature feature-information" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Crocodylia: information (1)" data-delay="250" data-total="20">Crocodylia: information (1)</a> <a href="/accounts/Crocodylia/pictures/" class="feature feature-pictures" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Crocodylia: pictures (169)" data-delay="250">Crocodylia: pictures (169)</a> <a href="/accounts/Crocodylia/specimens/" class="feature feature-specimens" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Crocodylia: specimens (7)" data-delay="250">Crocodylia: specimens (7)</a> <span class="feature-off feature-sounds"></span> <span class="feature-off feature-maps"></span> </div> </li> <li> <span class="rank">Family</span> <a href="/accounts/Crocodylidae/" class="taxon-name rank-family">Crocodylidae</a> <span class="vernacular-name"></span> <div class="features"> <span class="feature-off feature-information"></span> <a href="/accounts/Crocodylidae/pictures/" class="feature feature-pictures" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Crocodylidae: pictures (169)" data-delay="250">Crocodylidae: pictures (169)</a> <a href="/accounts/Crocodylidae/specimens/" class="feature feature-specimens" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Crocodylidae: specimens (7)" data-delay="250">Crocodylidae: specimens (7)</a> <span class="feature-off feature-sounds"></span> <span class="feature-off feature-maps"></span> </div> </li> <li> <span class="rank">Genus</span> <a href="/accounts/Crocodylus/" class="taxon-name rank-genus">Crocodylus</a> <span class="vernacular-name"></span> <div class="features"> <span class="feature-off feature-information"></span> <a href="/accounts/Crocodylus/pictures/" class="feature feature-pictures" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Crocodylus: pictures (68)" data-delay="250">Crocodylus: pictures (68)</a> <a href="/accounts/Crocodylus/specimens/" class="feature feature-specimens" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Crocodylus: specimens (2)" data-delay="250">Crocodylus: specimens (2)</a> <span class="feature-off feature-sounds"></span> <span class="feature-off feature-maps"></span> </div> </li> <li class="active"> <span class="rank">Species</span> <a href="/accounts/Crocodylus_moreletii/" class="taxon-name rank-species">Crocodylus moreletii</a> <span class="vernacular-name">Morelet聮s Crocodile</span> <div class="features"> <a href="/accounts/Crocodylus_moreletii/" class="feature feature-information" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Crocodylus moreletii: information (1)" data-delay="250" data-total="1">Crocodylus moreletii: information (1)</a> <a href="/accounts/Crocodylus_moreletii/pictures/" class="feature feature-pictures" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Crocodylus moreletii: pictures (7)" data-delay="250">Crocodylus moreletii: pictures (7)</a> <span class="feature-off feature-specimens"></span> <span class="feature-off feature-sounds"></span> <span class="feature-off feature-maps"></span> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="footer" aria-role="contentinfo"> <div class="inner-footer"> <div class="page-citation"> <p class="content">To cite this page: Hurley, B. 2005. "Crocodylus moreletii" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed February 18, 2025 at https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Crocodylus_moreletii/</p> </div> <div class="disclaimer"> <p class="content"><strong>Disclaimer:</strong> The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource <strong>written largely by and for college students</strong>. ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While ADW staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control. </p> </div> <div class="footer-links"> <ul class="unstyled"> <li><a href="https://www.umich.edu/">U-M Gateway</a> | <a href="https://lsa.umich.edu/ummz/">U-M Museum of Zoology</a></li> <li> <a href="https://lsa.umich.edu/eeb/">U-M Ecology and Evolutionary Biology</a> </li> <li> 漏 2020 Regents of the University of Michigan </li> <li><a href="/feedback/error_form/">Report Error</a> / <a href="/feedback/comment_form/">Comment</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="thanks-links"> <p>This material is based upon work supported by the <a href="https://nsf.gov">National Science Foundation</a> Grants DRL 0089283, DRL 0628151, DUE 0633095, DRL 0918590, and DUE 1122742. Additional support has come from the Marisla Foundation, UM College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, Museum of Zoology, and Information and Technology Services. </p> <p> The ADW Team gratefully acknowledges their support. </p> </div> </div> </div> <script></script> </div> <script src="/static/js/jquery.colorbox.js"></script> <script src="/static/js/pica.information.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> try { var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7143967-1"); pageTracker._setCustomVar(1,"author",":Hurley,Brigid-Catherine:",3); pageTracker._setCustomVar(2,"editor",":Myers,Phil::Poor,Allison::Hammond,George:",3); pageTracker._setCustomVar(3,"organization",":University of Michigan-Ann Arbor:",3); pageTracker._trackPageview(); } catch(err) {} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> (function(c,l,a,r,i,t,y){ c[a]=c[a]||function(){(c[a].q=c[a].q||[]).push(arguments)}; t=l.createElement(r);t.async=1;t.src="https://www.clarity.ms/tag/"+i; y=l.getElementsByTagName(r)[0];y.parentNode.insertBefore(t,y); })(window, document, "clarity", "script", "6f4vquqfce"); </script> <script async="async" src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-0ZHSR6DBVK"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-0ZHSR6DBVK'); </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/static/bootstrap/js/bootstrap.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/static/social-likes/social-likes.min.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/static/js/links.js"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

ADW: Crocodylus moreletii: INFORMATION