American Crocodiles on Dania Beach

The American crocodiles living near one Dania Beach neighborhood have been there for years, but on Monday they got plenty of media attention. BY DIANA MOSKOVITZ
Miami Herald

For the three crocodiles who live in the lake at the Watermark condominiums, Monday started out as just another day in paradise. At least one of the reptilian residents took his usual morning sunbath on its usual spot, when suddenly, they became television stars.

TV news helicopters fluttered overhead. Reporters and wildlife officers appeared on the lake shore. Neighbors gathered to see what all the fuss was about. But it was much ado about nothing. Someone, it seems, had called the Broward Sheriff's Office about the crocs, thinking they were some kind of menace.

Not only were the creatures innocent of any criminal wrongdoing, they're special guests in the Dania Beach neighborhood -- protected as a federal endangered species. Only an estimated 1,000 crocodiles are left in Florida. And the Watermark crocs were not threatening anyone, said Officer Jorge Pino, spokesman for the South Florida office of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Neighbors should be OK -- as long as they leave the animals alone, Pino said. ''All they want to do is be left alone, sun and swim,'' Pino said. ``At this point, all we have is crocodiles being crocodiles.'' If the crocs were a threat, they would be moved to a croc sanctuary near Turkey Point, in southern Miami-Dade County, he said.

The rule is different for alligators, which are not endangered but listed as threatened in Florida. More than a million alligators live in the state, Pino said. Wildlife officers will have an alligator killed if it poses a threat to people.

The Watermark crocodiles are well known, both to neighborhood residents and to wildlife officers. Biologists once tried trapping the oldest for study but failed, Pino said. ''Now our crocs are famous,'' Watermark resident Bette Weber said. ``I'm so glad they aren't taking them away.''

Two are about 9 feet long and about 9 years old, Pino said. The biggest, and oldest, is more than 13 feet long and probably more than 13 years old, he said. The oldest has been in the neighborhood for years and often could be seen skimming half-submerged in the water. His favorite sunbathing times: early in the morning and about 3 p.m., resident Della Moore said.

''My kids have known him for years,'' Moore said. The two newer crocs arrived after Hurricane Wilma, she said. The crocs stay close to the water's edge but began venturing farther onto land after Hurricane Wilma knocked down trees and the stumps were removed, Moore said.

The crocs recent appearances farther out of the water worried Joann Brave. ''If somebody came, was not aware, and disturbed it, who knows what happens?'' Brave said. Neighbors don't know the gender, calling the crocs he or she at will. A few say alligators until corrected.

American crocodiles can be distinguished from alligators by their longer, narrower snouts, greenish color and always visible teeth, University of Florida ecologist Frank Mazzotti said. American alligators have rounded snouts, are black as adults, and keep all their teeth inside with closed mouths, Mazzotti said.

The key is finding a way to live together, Pino said. It is illegal to touch, feed or harass a croc, Pino said. Staying away is key. Crocs are afraid of humans but become dangerous when they lose that fear, he said. Feeding them is worse, Mazzotti said. Then they associate people with food, which could have unfortunate consequences, he said.