
The American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus, is the more dangerous to humans of the two species (the other is Morelet’s crocodile, C. morletii, normally a denizen of fresher water) of the genus that occurs in Belize. They are common in many coastal areas, including such tourist areas as Ambergris Caye. Ongoing studies in the Turneffe Atoll east of Belize City have been very productive, and there is a healthy population of American crocodiles inhabiting those mangrove areas.