Crocodylus moreletii
Morelet’s Crocodile

Morelet's crocodiles are found on the eastern coastal plain of Mexico, across most of the Yucatan peninsula, and throughout Belize and northern Guatemala. Their range also overlaps that of the American crocodile, but the relationships between the two are unknown. Some Morelet's crocodiles have escaped from captive breeding areas in Mexico outside their normal range. (Britton, 2002)

Morelet's crocodiles live primarily in freshwater areas such as swamps and marshes and can also be found in forested riparian habitats. Recently, C. moreletii has even been found residing in coastal brackish water. Juveniles prefer denser cover for protection, and adults tend to aestivate in burrows during the dry season. (Britton, 2002)

The primary distinguishing feature of Crocodylus moreletii is the snout, which is uncharacteristically blunt for a crocodile. The snout has nostrils centered at its end. The eyes are situated behind the snout and ears behind the eyes. The location of all the sensory receptors are on the same plane (the top of the head) which allows them to be completely submerged in water and still have the ability to hear, see, and smell. Their eyes, which are silvery-brown, have special eyelids with nictitating membranes covering them, allowing for vision underwater. Morelet's crocodiles generally have 66 to 68 teeth, with the distinguishing purely Crocodylus characteristic of having them in perfect alignment. Their appearance and color is similar to the American crocodile, but Morelet's crocodiles tend to be a darker grayish-brown. Adults have dark bands and spots before the tail, while juveniles are a brighter yellow with black banding. Morelet's crocodiles lack bony plates (ventral osteoderums) beneath the skin. They have powerful legs with clawed webbed feet, and large tails that allow them to swim with powerful thrusts. They are medium-sized crocodiles, averaging 3 m and attaining a maximum of 4.7 m. ("Morelet's Crocodile Video", 2003; Britton, 2002)

When born, juveniles generally weigh about 31.9 grams. Morelet's crocodiles have three main life stages, classified through their length: juveniles < 100 cm, sub adults 100-150 cm, and adults >150 cm. Not much information is known about the specific life cycle of this crocodile. As in all crocodilians, however, sex is determined by the incubation temperature of the eggs. (Britton, 2002; Liesegang and Baumgartner, 2002)

Not much information is known about particular mating habits between males and females, although they appear to follow some of the same mating habits (such as being polygynous) of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). Probably large males dominate the other males in their area, and females prefer to mate with the dominant males. (Britton, 2002)

Oviposition for crocodiles living on the Yucatan primarily takes place in Chiapas between April and June. Crocodylus moreletii is unique because it is the only crocodile known to be exclusively mound nesting, laying between 20 and 40 eggs in nests that are approximately 3 m wide by 1 m high. Some nests have been found containing more than one female's eggs.

At hatching time, two to three months after laying the eggs, female Morelet's crocodiles have been known to carry eggs to water areas and crack them open. Reproductive rates are generally high among C. moreletii because of the relatively early maturation of the females. Not much information is available about the specific behavior of juveniles or the fertilization process. Research is currently being conducted in these areas. (Platt and Thorbjarnason, November 2000)

Female Morelet's crocodiles guard their nests until the eggs are ready to hatch. Studies among captive Crocodylus moreletii show females will respond to newborn vocalizations and open the nests. Males and females will also fiercely defend hatchlings against larger juveniles or other predators. Not much information is known about further interaction between juveniles and parents. (Britton, 2002; Platt and Thorbjarnason, November 2000)

Because they are both rare and difficult to study, not much is known about specific life cycles. Morelet's crocodiles that are bred in captivity appear to have a slightly longer lifespan (up to 80 years) than those that live in the wild (50 to 65 years). Females appear to live slightly longer than males. (Stafford and Meyer, 2000)

Research is currently being conducted into C. moreletii social behavior because not much information is available. These crocodiles appear to share similar qualities with the American crocodile, such as habitat selection and feeding behaviors. Typically, Morelet's crocodiles can be spotted in wetlands submerged below the surface with just the top of their heads visible. Crocodylus moreletii is active primarily at night, when it accomplishes its hunting and mating. It spends the daylight hours basking lazily in the sun, although very alert and aware of what is happening around it. (Britton, 2002)

Juveniles communicate through vocalization (known as barking) when born, though not much information is known about specific social communication. They tend to follow the basic patterns of all Crocodylus, which are the most vocal of all reptiles; their calls tend to differ depending on age, sex and situation. They may share the similar habit of the American crocodile, whose young are not as vocal as other species, which may be a response to high hunting pressures, resulting in a rapid adaptation for survival.

Scales covering most of the head and parts of the body are equipped with integumentary sense organs (ISO's) that perform a number of tasks, such as detecting pressure, salinity, and vibrations. (Britton, 2002; Stafford and Meyer, 2000)

Morelet's crocodiles vary in diet according to their age and size. Juveniles eat small invertebrates and fish. Sub adults feed on aquatic snails, fish, small birds, and mammals. Adults feed on larger prey, including birds, fish, lizards, turtles, and domestic animals such as dogs. They can also become cannibalistic in times of low food, eating newborns. Crocodylus moreletii is generally shy around humans, but larger ones may attack if provoked. ("Morelet's Crocodile Video", 2003; Britton, 2002; Rainwater, et al., 2002)

While Morelet's crocodiles tend to be dominant predators in their communities, their eggs and young often fall prey to older juveniles, larger mammals, snakes, wading birds, and gulls. A key protection from predators is their tough hide and their loud vocal cries. Larger individuals are potentially preyed upon by humans and jaguars. (Britton, 2002)

While not much information is known about the specific impact of the Morelet's crocodiles on their ecosystem, they do share many similar traits with the American crocodile, such as the role of primary carnivore in the ecosystem, thus affecting nutrient dispersal and ecosystem dynamics. (Richardson, 2003)

Unlike most other species of crocodilian, Morelet's crocodiles have no bony plates (called osteoderms) in their skin. This makes the skin more valuable as leather, and has motivated over-hunting.

Also, studies of the levels of mercury within the eggs of Morelet's crocodiles in Belize has also led to clues about biological contamination there. (Britton, 2002; Rainwater, et al., 2002)

Although generally shy, as with any crocodile, C. moreletii has been known to bite humans if provoked. (Matthews, 1995)

Due to their valuable hide, Morelet's crocodiles were hunted almost to extinction through the years 1940 to 1950. Under the Mexican Wildlife Protection Act, hunting them became illegal and their numbers have steadily risen, although illegal poaching and habitat loss continue to threaten the animal. To counteract this, Mexico has begun breeding Morelet's crocodiles in captivity. However, some individuals have escaped to form feral populations outside of their regular breeding zones, creating a problem for the populations of American crocodile, which must compete with this newly-invasive species. (Matthews, 1995; Platt and Thorbjarnason, November 2000)

Now primary focus remains in the development of sustainable use programs, such as commercial farming. More general knowledge about the species is required first, however. Status in the south of Belize is unknown; reports suggest the species is widely distributed in the Mexican states of Tabasco, Chiapas, Yucatan and Quintana Roo, and their situation in the interior of Guatemala is unknown. There remains little information on both specific numbers and general behavior patterns needed to judge their actual status throughout most of its range. (Britton, 2002; Platt and Thorbjarnason, November 2000)

Morelet's crocodiles are listed as Endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and are included in Appendix I of the CITES Treaty. The IUCN rates the species as "Lower Risk", but this rating would revert to Threatened or Endangered if ongoing conservation efforts were ended.

Texas Tech currently maintains extensive research in Belize studying the genetics of different populations and the impact of various pesticides and heavy metal contamination throughout this species. Other research institutions include the Lamanai Research Center in Belize and researcher Howard Hunt of the Atlanta Zoo in Cox Lagoon, Belize. (Britton, 2002)