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Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge

NEW!
Croc Lake Photos - Click Here!
NEW!!
Name-A-Woodrat T-Shirt Winners!
Click Here!

Click HERE for the Monroe County Mayor's Proclamation for the Year of the Key Largo Wood Rat!!!

Click HERE for Volunteer Schedule!

The Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1987, hosts one of the last 3 breeding populations of the American Crocodile.

The American crocodile is the second most widely distributed of the New World crocodiles, ranging from the southern tip of Florida, southern Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. The habitat of the American crocodile consists largely of freshwater or brackish water coastal habitats such as the saltwater sections of rivers, coastal lagoons, and mangrove swamps.

The American crocodile males have maximum lengths of 15–18 ft. range, although some 21 ft. individuals have been reported. This species is characterized by the most reduced and irregular dorsal armor of any crocodilian.

http://www.fws.gov/southeast/CrocodileLake/

The refuge is also habitat for the endangered Key Largo woodrat (below.)

Here is some exciting footage of a new female with pups attached avoiding a ratsnake. To our knowledge, this has never been seen before.  The snake hung around for a few days and never got a meal.  The pups are still running around with mom today. (Note, file size is about 4 Meg.)
Right-Click HERE and select "Save Target As".  When download is complete, click "Open" for a video

Click here for a photo album from the Crocodile Lake Refuge album, by Clay DeGayner.

Clayton and Ralph Degayner have also been leading projects to construct nesting habitats for the woodrat. Click HERE for a picture of a nest.

 

Keystone Point documents:
Section 7 Evaluation
Refuge Compatibility Determination

Last modified: May 31, 2008

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