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American Crocodile

Crocodylus acutus

Photo by AshleyAkers
Published on Project Noah
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9.74892, -83.7534

Field Notes

Description:

Alligator or Crocodile?

Notes:

Spotted under an overpass along a weeded river bank.

Species ID Suggestions

American Crocodile

Crocodylus acutus

Spectacled Caiman

Comments (5)

This is an American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) which are very common in Costa Rica. The eyes on a Spectacled Caiman are much closer together. Crocodiles have long triangular snouts.
The reptile in your photo has the ridges in above and in front of it's eyes, I believe. I'm not an expert, but I hope this helps! :-)
Due to the narrow width at the tip of its snout, it looks to be a Caiman. But I'm not entirely sure. They aren't as big as Crocodiles.
Photographed
PublishedJune 22, 2011

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