Morolet's Crocodiles

Morelet’s Crocodiles (Crocodylus Moreletii)

Description:

The Morelet’s Crocodile was discovered a French naturalist named P.M.A. Morelet in Mexico, in 1850. They are also known as the Belize, Guatemalan, or Mexican crocodile. They have a long snout, a body that has very little resistance to a flow of water which makes it easier for them to travel. Their skin is tough and scaly and their tail is long and muscular. Their skin is like armor and can vary in colors. It is usually grayish brown with black bands and spots on tail and sides. However, juveniles are bright yellow with a black band. Adult males are typically darker than the females who keep more of the yellow color. They also have an exceptional sense of smell and great hearing even though they close their ears underwater.

Classification: Animal, Reptile

Population Size: 10-20 thousand

Weight: 38-58 kg

Length: 1.5-2.7 m

Top Speed: 17-32km/h

Lifespan: 50-65 years

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Crocodylia

Family: Crocodylidae

Subfamily: Crocodylinae

Genus: Crocodylus

Species: Crocodylus Moreletti

Habitat:

Morelet's crocodiles are found in central and northern coastal Belize, Mexico and Guatemala. When captive and escaped, they breed to repopulate an area. They favor freshwater and are mostly found in marshes, swamps , rivers, and lakes in forested areas. They also live in estuaries with brackish water (where freshwater and seawater meet).

Food sources:

Morelet's crocodiles diet depends on the size of the crocodile. Juveniles eat small invertebrates, fish, aquatic snails, fish, small birds, and mammals. Older and larger crocodiles feed on larger prey such as dogs, birds, fish, lizards, and Kinosternon mud turtles. They also are sometimes cannibalistic, eating the young of their own kind. Morelet's crocodiles are most likely to be shy around humans, but 14 ft (4.7 m) specimens can attack if provoked (predator).

Niche: Morelet’s Crocodiles are carnivores, they are also known as ambush predators. Furthermore, the size of the crocodile affects what type of prey they eat. The bigger the crocodile, the bigger the prey. Their opponent is the caiman, which is another crocodile. They are smaller and prey on smaller fish, leaving the larger prey for the Morelet’s Crocodile. The Crocodiles in the south have grown and adapted to wider mouths to help lessen the competition between them and the caimans. The American Crocodile spends a lot of its time in the sun, but when the temperature is really high, they lay in the mud or go back into the water to cool itself or they keep their mouth open to act like an air conditioning system which cools them. Crocodiles are not nocturnal, but they become more active at night because their visions increase during this time.

Status: In the 1940s - 1950s, the crocodiles were quickly declining to extinction. However, over time, there are groups that are established protect these kind of endangered species. These groups are spreading awareness and making laws, gaining people’s support. There is less concern over these animals because of the groups that have brought awareness in the people.

Cultural Significance: Crocodiles have always been a part in human culture. While being worshiped as holy creatures in some area, crocodiles were also once hunted for their meat and skin elsewhere. Apart from food, products were also used for medical, religious or decorative purposes.

Examples:

People in Australia believe that in the dreaming, since Crocodile was once a man, he can still come out of the water.

In mainstream Filipino society crocodiles are considered dangerous man-eaters, and compared with corrupt government officials or selfish basketball players.

Before their protection was ensured, they were once hunted for their skin because of its fine quality.

One of the major Mayan sites was once named Lama’ anayin meaning submerged crocodile in Mayan. But, it was later changed to Lamanai.

Cool Story:

There are many animals that are willing to hang out with humans such as some sharks, sea lions, dolphins or more, but we haven’t seen much hanging out with crocodiles until one man by the name of John Nygren decided to. According to recent news, the crocodiles in Mexico have attacked nearly 18 people, which 3 have died from it. That doesn’t stop this diver from venturing towards crocodiles. His company and himself stick by the quote “You create it, and you can destroy it, too” as to why they have no fear for this creature.

When Nygren heads towards the water, he is greeted by an American Crocodile. They are both very curious about each other as they swim around. The crocodile does not find the diver as a threat so it leaves the man alone. The diver seeming intimidating to the crocodile with his camera and where is he standing makes the crocodile back out as he or she doesn’t want to be harmed just in case their plan to attack the person backfires on them. If given the opportunity to attack when the person is distracted or in a position that does not help you, they will attack.

Overall, this man is challenging the crocodile and making sure he seems to not be distracted because one wrong move could end his or your life. Those who are attacked by crocodiles is due to them bringing their attention to something else which makes them vulnerable. Stay safe and always keep an eye on the crocodile(s).

Citations:

Description:

-http://www.arkive.org/belize-crocodile/crocodylus-moreletii/

-http://animalia.bio/morelets-crocodile

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morelet%27s_crocodile

Classification: -https://www.lamar.edu/arts-sciences/biology/jungle-critters/jungle-critters-2/morelets-crocodile.html

Lifespan: -http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/reptile-life-expectancy-morelets-crocodile

Habitat:

-http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/animals1/crocodile/morelet.html

Niche: -https://www.lamar.edu/arts-sciences/biology/jungle-critters/jungle-critters-2/morelets-crocodile.html

-http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/04/01/crocodiles-play-important-role-in-ecosystem/

http://drakehs.org/academics/seadisc/endangeredspecies/2005%20&%202006/American%20Crocodile%20Site/About.htm

Food Sources:

-http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/animals1/crocodile/morelet.html

Status:

-https://www.lamar.edu/arts-sciences/biology/jungle-critters/jungle-critters-2/morelets-crocodile.html

Cultural Significance:

-http://www.iucncsg.org/pages/Farming-and-the-Crocodile-Induxstry.html

-http://www.crocodilerescue.com/about_rescue_unit/eldiarioarticle.html

http://nativesymbols.info/crocodile/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233554573_A_Cultural_History_of_Crocodiles_in_the_Philippines_Towards_a_New_Peace_Pact

https://www.academia.edu/34247539/Maya_Sites_-_Lamanai

Cool Story:

http://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/swimming-crocodiles-qr/

Pictures Link (Google Slides):

-https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1FCgE-XmAxRGTojbXmQ2xMz2nCNkDH9gGZdWSrEu1p3s/edit#slide=id.g32d3da1e2f_0_68