Alligators, Crocodiles, Iguanas, and Turtles

American Crocodile at Wooten's Park, Ochopee, FL (February 7, 2003) American crocodiles have long, slender snouts, which distinguish them from their cousin the alligator. Also unlike the alligator, the fourth tooth on the bottom jaw of the American crocodile is visible when its mouth is closed. Adult crocodiles are 7 to 15 feet long and weigh 150 to 450 pounds. Status: Endangered. Population: There are approximately 500 to 1,200 American crocodiles in Florida. Threats: Once hunted intensively for their hides, today poaching and the loss of habitat to human development are the greatest threats faced by American crocodiles. Survival: Crocodiles can reach 50 to 60 years of age.

American Crocodile at Wooten's Park, Ochopee, FL (February 7, 2003)

You can see why that alligator wasn't going to get very far :) This is the "housing" for the alligators and turtles. Miccosukee Village (December 26, 2005)

Heading for the log in the next picture . . . Miccosukee Village (December 26, 2005)

The alligator rested here for a brief moment . . . then I guess he realized he wasn't going to get much fruther so he headed out!! Miccosukee Village (December 26, 2005)

Good thing alligators don't eat turtles!!! Miccosukee Village (December 26, 2005)

Smile for the camera . . . Miccosukee Village (December 26, 2005)

Really - doesn't that look like a smile?? Miccosukee Village (December 26, 2005)

Miccosukee Village (December 26, 2005)

Miccosukee Village (December 26, 2005)

Miccosukee Village (December 26, 2005)

Miccosukee Village (December 26, 2005)

Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox) [The genus name of North American soft-shells has "changed" from Trionyx to Apalone (Amyda has also been used).] The Florida Softshell is the largest of the New World softshell turtles (which are all believed to have originated in the Old World) and has the most Old World characteristics such as: relatively large size, tolerance for brackish water, and longitudinally wrinkled carapace. These turtles look like big leathery pancakes. The adults are brownish-green or tan with blotches on their skin. Their shells are covered with skin, and are soft around the edges. Their noses are long and round. When they swim, they stay underwater and stick their nose up to breathe, like a snorkel. Their feet are webbed and their necks are quite long. The females are much bigger than the males. Females may reach up to 24 inches (61 cm) long and males usually grow to only 12 inches (30 cm). Softshell turtles can be very aggressive, and they sometimes bite each other and turtles of other species spontaneously or when feeding. Turtles with reduced shells or soft shells tend to be more aggressive than their more protected relatives. . . . one of the residents at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (April 14, 2006)

Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox) [The genus name of North American soft-shells has "changed" from Trionyx to Apalone (Amyda has also been used).] Miccosukee Village (December 26, 2005)

They sell feed for these guys but I was more interested in taking the photo :) Miccosukee Village (December 26, 2005)

What's up there?? Miccosukee Village (December 26, 2005)

Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden There are several iguanas in residence at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. This is a "mama" who was extremely protective of her young one (2 pictures to the right). Although called green iguanas, these animals are actually variable in color. The adults become more uniform in color with age, whereas the young may appear more blotchy or banded between green and brown. Color of an individual may also vary based upon its mood, temperature, health, or social status. (February 11, 2006)

Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (February 11, 2006) At Fairchild, you might see various reptiles go about their day as they scurry under bushes, climb trees, and even jump into the lakes. But did you know that most of these reptiles are not native to Florida and pose a threat to the area's unique and rich biodiversity? One native reptile, the green anole (Anolis carolinensis) is fast becoming outnumbered by invasive anoles from the Caribbean and Central America. In fact, on any given day, it struggles to compete as it gets pushed out of it habitat. Perhaps the most troublesome introduced reptile is the green iguana, which thrives without any natural predators. It freely consumes prized leaves, fruits and flowers, thereby threatening the scientific plant collections at Fairchild, home garden in Florida, and some of the state's rarest plant species.

Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (February 11, 2006)

Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (April 14, 2006)

Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (April 14, 2006)

Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox) [This species was formerly in the genus Trionyx.] . . . one of the residents at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (April 14, 2006) The Florida Softshell Turtle is a species of softshell turtle native to the eastern United States, primarily in the State of Florida, but it also ranges to southern sections of South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. Florida softshell turtles are almost entirely aquatic, generally only emerging from the water to bask or to lay their eggs. They prefer still waters and can be found in ponds, streams, rivers, lakes and swamps. These turtles are usually shy around humans, but when they feel threatened they will bite with their strong jaws. Like all soft-shells they are very fast in water and on land. In captivity they have been known to live up to 30 years old, although in the wild their lifespans are shorter.

Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox) [This species was formerly in the genus Trionyx.] . . . one of the residents at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (April 14, 2006)

Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox) [This species was formerly in the genus Trionyx.] . . . one of the residents at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (April 14, 2006)