Crocodylus acutus is widespread in the Americas: from Mexico to Venezuela and northern Peru, in the Bahamas, and the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Hispaniola, and Jamaica), and southern Florida (Map). It inhabits mostly coastal areas, including mangrove swamps, estuaries, lagoons, and cays, but also rivers and inland brackish and freshwater lakes. Although this species is slowly recovering from overexploitation it is still listed as vulnerable. Adults are uniform grayish-green, and juveniles exhibit dark cross-banding. This is a large crocodilian; males grow to 3-4 m in length, weighing up to ca. 400 kg, but can reach 6.1 m (900 kg). American Crocodiles breed from late fall to early spring, usually during the dry season. Females build nests of sand, mud, and dead vegetation or use burrows, lay 30-60 eggs, and guard the nest. The young hatch after 75-80 days, usually at the beginning of the rainy season. The female may protect the young for some weeks after hatching. C. acutus feeds on fish, crabs, snails, turtles, waterbirds, and medium-sized mammals.

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