South Florida is the only place in the world where American crocodiles and American alligators live together. The difference is mostly salt.
Species
Crocodylus acutus. South Florida is the northern edge of a range that reaches Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, southern Mexico, Central America, Ecuador and Venezuela.
Crocodile or alligator?
A crocodile has a narrower, more triangular snout and lighter skin, and with its mouth closed the fourth tooth on each side of the lower jaw stays visible. Alligators have broader snouts and darker coloring.
Habitat
Coastal, brackish and saltwater habitats — mangrove shorelines, Florida Bay and the coast — where alligators, which prefer fresh water, are less common.
Diet
Hatchlings eat small fish, snails, crustaceans and insects. Adults feed mostly at night on fish, crabs, turtles, snakes and small mammals.
Size
Males can grow to about 20 feet but rarely exceed 14 feet in the wild; breeding females are typically 8 to 12 feet.
Conservation status
The Florida population has been reclassified from endangered to threatened after a sustained increase in numbers, especially of nesting females. Changes in salinity and water levels in Florida Bay remain a concern.