Florida's 'biggest crocodile,' named 'Croczilla,' is spotted

Posted on

It’s not just ‘gators in Florida! Sunshine State’s ‘biggest crocodile’ – a 14ft monster named ‘Croczilla’ – is spotted showing off its gleaming teeth in Everglades swamp

  •  Croczilla is believed to be the ‘biggest crocodile’ in the Sunshine State
  •  The 14-ft reptile with its razor-like teeth appeared in the Florida Everglades 
  • Wildlife photographer Kymberly Strempack Clark had been looking for the crocodile for the 2,000lb beast for months when she spotted it

Florida’s biggest crocodile – a 14 foot monster named ‘Croczilla’ – was snapped showing off its gleaming teeth in a swamp at Everglades National Park. 

The reptile surfaced from a nearby swamp on Sunday, opening its mouth wide and showing its razor-sharp teeth.

Wildlife photographer Kymberly Strempack Clark, who had been looking for the crocodile for months, encountered the 2,000lb beast near the Nine Mile Pond.

Clark was packing up for the day after being out in the wild for hours trying to locate the croc. She told Fox35 Orlando that when she passed the last truck hauling kayaks into the back, she she spotted the massive reptile and was in complete awe.

‘When I saw this guy, I am not sure who opened their mouth wider, Croczilla or me?’ she said.

The magnificent reptile surfaced from a nearby swamp on Sunday opening its mouth wide and showing its razor sharp teeth.

Wildlife photographer Kymberly Strempack Clark, who had been looking for the crocodile for months, was in awe when she came close to the 2,000 pound beast

Clark, who describes herself on her Instagram as a hiker and ‘distracted walker,’ wrote about their chance encounter and stood admiring Croczilla for more than an hour.

‘This Croc has been on my herping bucket list for awhile now. So excited to have finally met him!!,’ she wrote. 

‘Although Crocs are native to America, this estimated 14-foot+ Crocodile is about the largest Croc found in the wild,’ she said.  

In her post she shared her knowledge about crocodiles and alligators explaining that in comparison to alligators, crocodiles have a more narrow snout, are lighter in color, and both upper and lower sets of teeth can be seen.

She also talked about some of the crocodiles’ body language. 

‘Although this crocodile looks fierce, the American Crocodiles are very timid. The open mouth is not a sign of aggression but usually a way of regulating body temperature or a yawn,’ she said. 

But she offered a word of caution, saying in part: ‘Always keep a safe distance from crocodiles and other wildlife. Crocodiles are classified as threatened by FWS.

Crocodiles and alligators could lunge up to six feet from a resting position so experts urge those to stay at least 20-feet away from them. 

The largest saltwater crocodile was named Lolong, at 20 feet three inches long, and native of the Philippines. 

In 2011, Lolong was caught and two years after is capture, died due to stress, The Science Times reported. 

Wildlife photographer Kym Clark in Florida captured the crocodile known as ‘Croczilla’ on Sunday while she was at Everglades National Park 

Dozens of crocodiles swarms the Everglades 

Clark told Fox35 Orlando that she spotted Croczilla when she passed the last truck that was hauling kayaks out of the park and was in complete awe 

Everglades National Park is a 1.5-million-acre wetlands preserve located on the southern tip of  Florida. The scenic nature preserve is often compared to a grassy, slow-moving river

The Everglades is made up of coastal mangroves, sawgrass marshes and pine flatwoods. Many species lives in the preserve including, endangered leatherback turtle, Florida panther and West Indian manatee

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation and Commission, (FWC) the American crocodile is protected as a Threatened species by the Federal Endangered Species Act, and as a Federally-designated Threatened species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule. 

Though a crocodile and alligator may look the same there are major differences between to the two reptiles. 

Crocodiles are typically a grayish-green color, their fourth tooth on their lower jaw is exposed when their mouth is closed. They also have a narrow tapered snout. A young crocodile is lighter in color with dark stripes, as per FWC.

Alligators are black in color, their upper teeth are exposed when their mouth is closed and their snout is broad and rounded. The younger alligators are darker in color with yellow stripes, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation and Commission. 

Everglades National Park is a 1.5-million-acre wetlands preserve located on the southern tip of Florida. The massive and scenic nature preserve has been compared to a grassy, slow-moving river.

The Everglades is made up of coastal mangroves, sawgrass marshes and pine flatwoods.

The preserve is also home to hundreds of animals and endangered species, including the leatherback turtle, Florida panther and West Indian manatee.

Source: Read Full Article