Roaming the earth 84 million years ago, Crocodilians are truly living dinosaurs. Their name stems from the Greek word krokodeilos meaning “pebble-worm, referring to the appearance of their skin. Worldwide there are 23 species of Crocodilians, all of which are in danger of extinction. The wetland habitats of Belize are one of the last refuges for two species of the genes Crocodylus: the fresh water Morelet’s Crocodile, Crocodylus moreletii, and the saltwater tolerant, Ambergris Caye resident, American Crocodile, Crocodylus acutus. Both species are regarded threatened by the Belize Department of Fisheries and are protected under the Belize Wildlife Protection Act (Chapter 220).
