Reproductive Ecology and Hatchling Growth Rates of the American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) on Coiba Island, Panama

American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) populations on Coiba Island, Panama, experience dramatic declines in hatchling survival within the first two months post-hatching, with only 0.5% remaining by December. This study, the first to assess nest-site characteristics and estimate hatchling survival in a Pacific population, found that while hatching success was high at 88.9%, environmental factors such as soil composition (high potassium and manganese) and nest location (30% under forest canopies, 70% exposed) significantly influenced growth rates (0.03–0.16 cm/day). The research examined 10 nests across three localities from January to December 2013, revealing critical insights into reproductive ecology that could inform conservation strategies for this vulnerable species.

Balaguera-Reina, S. A., Venegas-Anaya, M., Sanjur, O. I., Lessios, H. A., & Densmore, L. D. (2015). Reproductive Ecology and Hatchling Growth Rates of the American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) on Coiba Island, Panama. South American Journal of Herpetology, 10(1), 10. https://doi.org/10.2994/sajh-d-14-00024.1