About

It's a croc,

A cold-blooded, thick skinned, and egg-laying, the ancient order of crocodilians strikes terror in the hearts of many and respect in others—or perhaps a bit of both. The fact is, crocodilians—alligators, crocodiles, caimans, and gharials—are a misunderstood group of animals, most of which face serious threats to their habitat as well as being hunted for their skin by humans. Of the 23 species of crocodilians, 7 are critically endangered, and nearly all are at risk in some part of their range.

Big differences

Shape of the jaw— Alligators tend to have wide, U-shaped, rounded snouts, while crocodiles tend to have longer, more pointed, V-shaped snouts.

Threats

Crocodilians, including crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials, face numerous threats that endanger their populations. Habitat loss and degradation due to deforestation, wetland drainage, and water pollution are major concerns, reducing their natural living spaces and affecting their health. Illegal hunting and poaching for the skin trade, bushmeat, and traditional medicine also pose significant risks. Human-crocodilian conflict arises from habitat encroachment, leading to attacks on humans and livestock, often resulting in retaliatory killings. Additionally, climate change impacts, such as rising temperatures and sea-level changes, further threaten their survival by altering their habitats and breeding patterns.

Conservation Action

American alligator.Out Of the 23 crocodilian species, 12 are in need of conservation help. Many croc species are hunted by people for their skins to make shoes and luggage, and some have suffered from a loss of habitat. But there are conservation success stories, too. The American alligator was listed as endangered in 1967, after being heavily hunted for its hide and meat, and its numbers plummeted to about 200 animals. But through managed breeding and conservation of populations, these alligators were declared “fully recovered” by 1987. Today, they are found in the southeastern United States, and hunting these animals is tightly regulated.