Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Stopped by Everglades NP this past weekend and luckily one of the Everglades big Croc's and his girlfriend were hanging out at the boat ramp in Florida City. It was somewhat cool, in the 60's and windy, so this charming couple was taking in all the sun they could. This male was estimated to be over 12' long by one of the park managers who was there monitoring the reptiles.....as much as monitoring the tourists so as not to disturb these bathing beauties.

These are not what are called 'Salties' those are found in Australia and are far more aggressive and larger. Still, big and bad looking, these American Crocodiles are actually very reclusive and shy. They can get up to 20' but rarely do many males get much over 14'. The American crocodile is protected as a Threatened Species by the Federal Endangered Species Act AND as a Federally-designated Threatened Species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule. Today, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimated the number of Florida crocodiles have increased to as many as 1,500 to 2,000 adults, coming back from an estimated 300 in 1975.

For a little scale, the red cones in the third photo was about 15' from the Croc's. The last photo was taken at the red cone with a tele... The good news from the ranger was there's an even bigger Croc, pushing 14', who hangs near a pond about 10 miles north of this site...Cheers All.

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Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Absolutely beautiful animals. I guess they are coming back

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Thanks, yes sir, seems like a great comeback

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Well done!

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Thank you, Mike, amazing, prehistoric creatures....

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

Beaut set, I've only ever heard of your Alligators, didn't know you also had Crocs...thank you...
Ron.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

They're beautiful. That's a contented smile in the second photo.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Thanks Ron, yes and they are surviving. Of particular note are the vast cooling water canals around the Turkey Creek Nuclear Power Plant south of Miami at Homestead, FL. where they are protected, living and multiplying quite well with about 500 of the estimated 2000 in Florida living there....and growing. CHEERS!

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Thanks SWF, she's a sweetie, ain't she!!!

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

We also have some fresh water Crocs but they are much smaller than our Salties...

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

tcthome Loc: NJ

Knarly look'n! Great captures.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Nice shots!

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Thank you, Frank...

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Thanks TC, yes gnarly, but its what the visitors to the Everglades NP want to see.