Population Ecology of American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in Coiba National Park, Panama

A balanced sex ratio with slight female dominance and dispersed population distribution were observed for the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in Coiba National Park, Panama. Females were marginally larger than males (115.1 ± 56.9 cm vs. 105.4 ± 71.8 cm). Encounter rates varied annually, peaking at 1.8 ind/km in 2009 and showing a correlation with protected areas. The study, conducted through nocturnal surveys covering 147.2 km over 99 nights from 2009–2012, captured 185 crocodiles across 581.12 km² of habitat—78% natural (mangroves, beaches) and 22% disturbed. Spatial analysis revealed habitat loss due to agricultural conversion but no significant population decline. The findings underscore the need for long-term monitoring to differentiate natural fluctuations from anthropogenic impacts on crocodile ecology.

Venegas-Anaya, M., Escobedo-Galván, A. H., Balaguera-Reina, S. A., Lowrance, F., Sanjur, O. I., & Densmore III, L. D. (2015). Population Ecology of American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in Coiba National Park, Panama. Journal of Herpetology, 49(3), 349–357. https://doi.org/10.1670/13-193