Found largely in coastal areas, the American crocodile prefers a certain level of salinity, leading to it spending much of its time in brackish water when not in the sea.
While capable of reaching 6.1m and weighing almost a tonne, they are more commonly 2.4-4m in length. While they can be dangerous to humans, they are generally recognized as less dangerous than other similar species.
Until 2020, the evolutionary history if this crocodilian was poorly understood, however it is now relatively clear that it (and three other closely related animals including the Orinoco Moreletts and Cuban crocodile) all originate in Africa.
It has a greater range than any of the other american crocodiles, and while they may take other species for food from time to time, coexist relatively well. While suggestions have been made that the American Alligator stopped the crocodiles spread north, it has poor ability to cope with the cold, which restricts its range.
There are currently only 2000 in the USA, probably as a result of heavy hunting around 1900. Their number appears to be increasing steadily and effectively.
They are considered endangered.