American Crocodile Sightings On Sanibel Island

The American crocodile is one of only two species of crocodilian naturally endemic in the United States but it has, in recent years, become in danger of extinction.

Because development of Sanibel Island has significantly altered much of the area, and with the increase of various pursuits such as camping, fishing and boating, there has been much disturbance to the habitat of the American crocodile in the region.

These factors, together with changes in the timing and quantity of the region’s freshwater flows, have resulted in a considerable decrease in the number of crocodiles on the east coast of Florida.

The number of crocodiles in the Sanibel Island locality decreased to such an extent that few people reported sightings of crocodiles at all.

However, it has been shown during the course of various reports and studies of the Sanibel Island area, that several groups of American crocodile could still be located in the mangrove swamps and in some of the mangrove-lined bays and creeks from Sanibel Island south to the Collier Seminole State Park.

Because of these studies, the USFWS has included plans for the protection of the American crocodile in its Multi-Species Recovery Plan.

The plan included recommendations concerning the protection and enhancement of the existing colonies of crocodiles; the acquisition of new protected habitat; the ongoing assessment and appraisal of contamination – from sources such as pesticides and metallic contamination - in crocodile eggs; the protection of the habitat used for nesting, basking and nursing; the restoration of suitable habitat and the management of already existing habitat.

All this was considered essential in helping reduce crocodile mortality and therefore protect the species.

The result of these proposals was that the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission has initiated a model scheme to isolate some of the mangrove, fresh water and coastal salt marshes known to be part of the dwindling crocodile population’s current habitat in order to prevent even further shrinkage.

This scheme also has helped maintain some of the flow ways, which need to be preserved in order for eggs to be successfully hatched. Because of the small number of crocodiles left in the area, and its limited geographical size, this is considered to be a project of vital importance to the survival of this native American species.

Crocodiles can adapt to alterations in their environment and can co-exist with humans on Sanibel Island, in a carefully managed habitat.

In recent years, partly because of the work carried out in places such as Sanibel Island, the status of the American crocodile has been upgraded from ‘endangered’ to ‘vulnerable’.

As long as the public education about crocodiles continues and the ecosystems upon which they are dependent are successfully managed, then the recovery of the American crocodile can continue.

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