AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums About Belize Nature The American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus

by the Crocodile Research Coalition: We continuously get asked from teachers or biologists or tour guides in-country or internationally, "Do you have any educational material to share? Are there any good resources on crocs to educate children?" Well look no further! The CRC has updated our Education page on our website with material to download to share, including our Living with Crocs 2020 calendar. Take a look!

Tips for Co-Existing with Crocodiles, by ACES / American Crocodile Education Sanctuary

Crocs in Belize are typically non aggressive towards people and don't see us as a food source. Unless an individual has been hand fed by people, they will shy away from us and keep their distance. Their food source is mainly aquatic based, hunting prey items such as fish, shrimp, crabs, with a bit of birds, small mammals and reptiles thrown in for good measure.

But a croc is still a croc and it always pays to be cautious, so here's a few safety tips to ensure safe and harmonious coexistence if you live in or near croc territories. Be sure to share these tips with your children!

Its Crocodile Hatchling Season!

With the enormous amount of rain we have been seeing across the country this week, we thought it appropriate to discuss what the rain means for the world of the American crocodile - the emergence of babies!

Croc approaching BOTE boarder...

Don't worry...the wildlife is more scared of you than you are of them.
Paddling BOTE on Cayo Frances.

Cohabitating with Crocodiles

Wildlife Program Manager Shanelly Carrillo Balan of the Forest Department tells you what to do if there is a sighting of a crocodile in your area.�

Shanelly Carrillo Balan, Wildlife Program Manager, Forest Department

"What we have seen in the past years is that Belize City and Ladyville areas is that it is becoming frequent to have reports coming from those areas when it comes to crocodiles - not just sighting of crocodiles, but also for crocodile conflicts for example them trying to attack your pets. So the forest department does respond to those reports. Apart from responding and sometimes we remove the crocodiles, we also educate the people around. So things that we mention is for example, take care of your pets. If you live close to the water edges, it is sometimes good to invest in a proper fence just make sure that your pets are safe. Also they hunt dusk and dawn so if it is around these times, take extra precaution. Don't be close to these areas with your pets, don't be swimming in these areas around these times. But what we see as well is that crocodile conflicts can sometimes start because of directly or indirectly feeding these animals. A lot of times when we respond to these conflict cases and we ask the necessary questions, people have been feeding them without knowing it. So if you are cleaning your fish near the water edge, you are indirectly feeding these animals. But also garbage is something that we have to consider. Just having garbage in these areas where they can possibly start feeding off of our scraps. So that is attracting them to our homes, closer to these communities."

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Channel 5

Crocs in Belize
A few days ago there was a scare on San Pedro Town after reports of a croc attack spread like gossip on the island. Turns out, it was a false alarm but it raise critical concerns that have been mounting over the past years The number of human and croc interactions have been increasing across the country, especially in areas where there are Morelet's and American crocodiles. Fast infrastructure development is leading to the crocs finding new homes but experts at the Crocodile Research Coalition say that human and crocs can co-exist peacefully.

Tips for Co-Existing with Crocodiles

After an extended rainy season, we are well and truly into dry season! Yards are dry, puddles are gone, and the wetlands aren't very wet right now!

If your property is built on the lagoons or in wetlands and is prone to flooding, this is the perfect time to get your barriers up around your yard or around your house to make sure you don't receive any unwelcome guests.

To a croc, the low ceiling of floorboards under a raised home makes a great cave, and when there's water under there too.... perfection!! It's very enticing for a croc, especially if there's no more mangrove to hide in or if he's just a lazy bugger that doesn't want to dig his own cave! So build those barriers while it's dry. It doesn't take much... some old plywood, some trellis or pallets. There are numerous cost effective options available.

For advice, you can always call or send us a message through whatsapp on 6237920/6378769.

Summer time is almost here and we can already see it's going to be a hot one!

With endless rivers running the entirety of the country, the opportunity for a cooling dip is never too far away. But let's be safe this summer about where and when we swim. Although crocs are usually shy, there are scenarios that can increase the odds of an unwanted encounter with a crocodile. Follow these tips to minimize the chance of croc human conflict, and swim safely this summer.

If you have further questions, or would like a high res png of this sign for printing, please shoot us a message anytime.

If you have concerns you'd like to report, the Belize Forest Department can be contacted through Facebook, directly on 8284936, or [email protected]

ACES:
https://www.facebook.com/AcesWildlifeRescue/

The Mythical and Misunderstood Crocodile

By Aces Wildlife Rescue - Ambergris Caye, Belize

Belize is truly an ecological paradise. Home to more species of wildlife than any one person could possibly name, but there's few critters roaming this jewel that have as many myths and misconceptions surrounding them as crocodiles do. The image of a large croc gliding easily through the water is a stunning sight, but where some see beauty and predatory perfection, the image conjures up fear and hatred in others. A video or photo posted on Facebook of an adult croc going about his business always seems to warrant the obligatory comment of "kill dat before it kills someone". Where did this view come from? It wasn't always this way. Throughout the history of mankind, crocodiles have played an important role in the mythology of civilizations around the globe from the Mayans, to Egyptians, Aboriginals, Chinese and Hindus. In Mesoamerican mythology, crocodilians were associated with fertility.

They were responsible for the timely arrival of the rains and fertility of the soil. Later on in history, they were associated with the Mayan elite, as well as with the god Itzamna, considered to be the father of the universe whose mask is carved into Lamanai - a whole city itself named "submerged crocodile". Ancient Mayan art depicted the entirety of life on earth existing on the back of a crocodilian. Eric Thompson, a Mesoamerican Archeologist, found that the "maya believed that the world rested on the thorax of a huge caiman or alligator, and this, in turn, floated on a vast lagoon". There is indeed a deep relationship with crocodilians between the ancient maya, heaven, earth and the underworld. So how did we go from deities, symbols of power and good fortune, to a fear so strong that even the sight of a juvenile sunbathing induces panic?

Ask any class in any school what crocs eat, and numerous children will incorrectly answer "people". Where does this fear and misinformation come from? Yes, there have been sad and horribly unfortunate incidents, but if crocs were the man eaters many believe them to be, we would be reading about attacks occurring every single day. All over Belize people are living their lives in close proximity to crocodiles whether they are aware of it or not, and thankfully, incidents are few and far in between, most of which are avoidable with a little knowledge and a little common sense. Am I trying to convince you crocs aren't ever dangerous? Of course not, they are predators after all, as are sharks, jaguars, pumas and everything else that eats meat to survive, and caution should always be used when in their habitat. But just like all other beings in the magnificent and complex ecosystems within this jewel, they have a vital role to play maintaining balance and health within the environment. It is the habits and behavior of us and our neighbors that determine how we live alongside the wildlife,1 and it is our responsibility as the most intelligent species to find ways to coexist for the good of all creatures and the balance of Mother Nature.

So here are some tips to avoid human-crocodile conflicts:

Don't ever feed crocodiles: This is imperative and there's no grey area here. Feeding any wild animal takes away the natural fear they have of people and teaches them to associate people with food. This drastically increases the chance of an attack, maybe not for you, but what about an unsuspecting child climbing and playing in the mangrove or fishing at the water's edge who's unaware there's a croc nearby expecting to be fed? By feeding crocs, you not only put yourself in danger, you endanger the entire community.

Dispose of your food scraps: If you leave cat and dog food on your porch or your trash can uncovered, you're likely to attract rats or raccoons, throw food scraps into the water and you're likely to attract crocodiles. If you live on the water and you regularly dispose of your food waste this way, you'll end up with crocs hanging out by your house. If you fish in the same spots routinely and leave your fish scraps at the water's edge, you could end up with crocs too close to comfort expecting to be fed. Dispose of your food properly in a trash bin and clean your fish away from people's homes, swimming areas, and away from the waters they inhabit. Don't give crocs a reason to see your presence as a good thing.

Show extra caution during hunting hours: Crocodiles hunt at dusk and dawn and are generally quite active at night. If you must be in or around the water's edge, try to avoid these hours. Always be aware of your surroundings. Don't swim in crocodile territory, especially at night, and certainly don't spearfish in croc habitat at night - or at all ideally. Crocodile eyesight isn't great underwater during the day and it's nonexistent at night. They instead rely on movement and vibration sensors to hunt. This can lead to cases of mistaken identity during darker hours, and in daylight hours a croc you've unknowingly cornered in the mangrove while you're focused on searching for fish will lash out if he feels threatened.

Stay away from baby crocodiles: Contrary to popular belief, crocodiles are very good parents who protect their young. Prior to hatching, mama croc protects her nest and once they hatch the young will stay close by, particularly in the first few months after hatching. If you spot a baby, there's a good chance mama is nearby, watching and guarding her offspring. Don't mess with them, and don't give mama cause for concern as she could act defensively.

Choose your swimming spots: We all love a dip in the ocean, and no one can resist the lure of a beautiful jungle river to cool off in. Avoid areas thick with mangrove or dense low hanging bush. These are the types of areas crocs like to hide in during the heat of the day. Instead pick open areas with clear water and gradual beaches that are lacking in thick vegetation. And again, mind the time. Crocs are not the only things to hunt once the sun goes down.

Mind your pets: From thousands of years of domestication, most pets have lost their survival instinct, dogs in particular make easy targets for crocs. If they're allowed to roam free near the water's edge, there's always the possibility they could become part of the food chain. Keep them close and on leash to keep them safe. If you live on the water, erect simple barricades to prevent crocs coming into your yard. It doesn't have to be fancy, just something to take away the ambush capability of crocs and to put something between the water and your pets.

Most truly wild crocodiles don't want anything to do with us and they certainly don't see us as a food source. Their natural prey is fish, shrimp, crabs, small mammals, other reptiles and birds. It is only the actions of individuals that change this fact and change their behavior. Take heed of my advice, and keep the potential for human-wildlife conflict to an absolute minimum.

If you have further questions, or concerns regarding a crocodile, you can contact the Belize Forest Department on 828-4936, or Aces Wildlife Rescue on 623-7920 or [email protected]