Mexican Crocodile Species Faces Loss of Protection

A number of species of crocodile are listed under international treaties with regards to their conservation status.  Although these animals are remarkably hardy, many species have suffered due to loss of habitat and as a result of hunting for their valuable skins.  The Mexican crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii), otherwise known as the Central American crocodile or Morelet’s crocodile, after the French naturalist who first recognised this animal as a distinct species, is one such crocodile that has been persecuted over the years.

Crocodile

A native to freshwater habitats of Mexico, Belize and Guatemala, this particular crocodile, which can grow to lengths of 4 metres or more, is closely related to the Cuban and the American crocodiles.  It has a broad snout and a row of dark bands that run down its flanks, making its skin highly prized.  It is very similar in appearance to the now extremely rare Cuban crocodile.  Although, attacks by this creature are very infrequent, it is still regarded as highly dangerous and a potential man-eater.

According to a statement from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Mexican crocodile has made sufficient recovery to be removed from the Endangered Species List.  The crocodile would remain endangered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, to which the United States is a signatory.

The Difference Between a Crocodile and an Alligator

Crocodile (top) and Alligator (bottom).

The models shown above come from the Mojo Fun model range, to view these figures (whilst stocks last): Mojo Fun Prehistoric and Extinct Models.

This crocodile species, which was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Conservation Act in 1972, is endemic to fresh water habitats along the Gulf of Mexico, from southern Mexico to Guatemala, although exact numbers of individuals is difficult to quantify.   At the time of its listing, the crocodile was endangered by habitat destruction and exploitation through the commercial trade in crocodile skin.

Because the species is not endemic to the United States, its protection under the Act was limited to a ban in the import or export of live animals, the skin from the carcase, or products made from crocodile’s skin.  In 2005, the government of Mexico petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delist the Morelet’s crocodile, arguing that conservation efforts, including farming operations to produce skins for luxury products, made bans on trade unnecessary for the species to survive in the wild.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking for public comment on its proposal to remove the Morelet’s crocodile from the list of endangered species.

Under the international convention for the protection of species, Morelet’s crocodile currently has the status of being “conservation dependent”.

Crocodile Blood could Hold Key to Improving Human Immune System

Crocodiles, those ancient predators may have a reputation as being man-eaters but new research suggests that their remarkable physiognomy and crocodile blood may prove beneficial to humans when it comes to combating AIDS and other diseases.

Researchers at Kasertsart University (Thailand) have discovered a new medicine to help HIV positive children using crocodile’s blood, which has been successfully tested on rats and is now ready for wider research on people suffering from a number of diseases including those with the HIV positive condition.

Win Cheichomsri, Chief of Crocodile Blood Research, Faculty of Zoology, has conducted an experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of crocodile’s blood in unhealthy rats.  For the university, the third oldest in Thailand, these tests mark the beginning of an extensive crocodile blood testing programme.  For years, scientists have been aware of the remarkable properties of crocodile blood.  These animals live in dirty, stagnant water stuffed full of bacteria but even though they may have open wounds their blood and it’s anti-bodies prevent infections.

The Difference Between a Crocodile and an Alligator

Crocodile (top) and Alligator (bottom).

Crocodile Blood

The researchers experiment involved two rats groups – one fed with supplement capsules made of crocodile’s blood and the other fed without the pills, a control group, as the scientists state.

Win Cheichomsri stated that the results indicate that the controlled group (fed without capsules) have bigger spleens than those in the experimental group.

The experimental rats (fed the crocodile supplements) became healthier and more fertile, reproducing many pups later on, the chief concludes.  The Food and Drug Administration committee has certified the crocodile-blood tablets as clean and safe supplements for consumption.

Mr. Cheichomsri believes that the crocodile-blood pills could improve the immune systems and general health of HIV positive children.  In fact, the capsules have been offered to twenty-four HIV infected children at Lorenzo Orphanage House in Panusnikom, Chonburi.

These children show remarkable physical changes after the consumption of the pills.  They show less fatigue and have more energy to play.  Their pustules are also gradually disappearing, Mr. Chiechomsri says.

He adds that those children who have suffered from hepatomegaly and splenomegaly, are presented with decreasing liver and spleen sizes.  In particular during cold weather these children do not fall ill, indicating an improvement in their immune systems, according to Mr. Chiechomsri.

Based on the results, Mitri Temsiripong (Manager of Sriracha Tiger Zoo) and Wisachini Rungtaweekchair (Wanithai Part, Ltd) donate the crocodile blood supplements to the children at the orphanage, as accepted by Sister Wichuda Kusub.  At the moment, the blood can be taken from the crocodiles without harming them and the crocodiles soon recover.

Perhaps these animals with a reputation for being man-eaters, may soon have gained a reputation for being man-savers as scientists search for new ways of combating disease and bacterial infections.

For models and replicas of crocodiles and alligators (whilst stocks last): Mojo Fun Prehistoric and Extinct Models.

Floridians Warned about Increased Alligator and Crocodile Activity

The warm weather over the last few days in Florida has led to state authorities issuing a number of warnings to Florida residents about the perils of getting up too close to those alligators and American crocodiles that have started to become more active.  The authorities have warned of increasing alligator and crocodile activity.

Florida as two species of crocodilian, the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis ) and the much rarer American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus).  These two protected species are regarded as dangerous to humans, although the American crocodile (found in the southern parts of Florida), has not been recorded as attacking humans and is generally regarded as a very shy animal.  However, attacks on people have been logged elsewhere in this reptile’s geographical range, so authorities in the State urge residents to take extreme care when in these creature’s habitats.

Alligator and Crocodile Activity

As cold-blooded animals, American alligators and crocodiles have been largely inactive in the cold weather that has occurred over the last few months.  However, with the onset of spring these reptiles will start to move more and there is the risk that they will run into contact with humans.

The Differences Between an Alligator and a Crocodile

Crocodile (top) and Alligator (bottom).

The onset of warm weather in the spring is when Florida’s alligators and crocodiles begin getting active, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds Floridians and visitors to be cautious when having fun in and around water.

The FWC has published a set of handy guidelines to ensure that humans and crocodilians can get along, the guidelines include:

1). Leave alligators and crocodiles alone.  The danger of being injured by a provoked alligator is much higher than by an unprovoked one.  Often if one of these reptiles is spotted on the waters edge basking in the sun, it will most probably move off on its own without being molested.

2). Never feed these animals, dispose of fish scraps from a fishing trip in the designated areas.  It is illegal to feed these creatures.  Alligators lose their natural fear of humans when fed, and become accustomed or attracted to people. Alligators that have been fed may be more likely to attack, and are more likely to become nuisance animals that must be destroyed.

3).  Don’t swim at night.  Alligators are more active at night or at dawn or dusk.  At these times they are more likely to be feeding than during the heat of midday.

4).  Do not swim in water that is known to contain large alligators, also do not swim outside of designated swimming areas.  Alligators are most active during the summer months.  Since this is the time of year when people are also likely to be in the water, areas known to contain alligators should be avoided.

5).  Never let children play alone near water.  Make sure children are supervised and in view.

6).  Do not allow pets to go near water that is known to contain these reptiles.  Dogs and other small pets are more likely to be attacked than humans because they resemble a natural prey item for the alligator.  Therefore, pets can attract alligators to swim areas and create a danger for humans also.

7).  Never capture or accept a baby alligator or crocodile as a pet.  Capturing alligators is illegal and can be dangerous.  Alligators do not become tame in captivity, and handling even small ones could result in a bite.

8).  Seek medical advice immediately if you are bitten or scratched by an alligator or crocodile.  Because of the environment in which they live, alligators’ mouths can harbour very dangerous bacteria (particularly Aeromonus hydrophila).  Any bite or scratch, even a small one, should be examined by a doctor or trained medical staff.

More information on how to avoid alligator or crocodile encounters visit the FWC’s website.

In the meantime, for models of crocodilians visit this part of the Everything Dinosaur website: Mojo Fun Prehistoric Life Models.

Frogs Leave Record Amount of Spawn in Office Pond

This morning, we noticed that all the frogs had left the office pond.  One large individual, was found close to the pond on the paving slabs adjacent to the water’s edge.  It was very lethargic and we did not stop to examine whether it was a male or female Common Frog.  The males develop a fleshy pad (called a nuptial pad) on their first digit.  They use this pad to secure themselves to a female during breeding, so during the mating season at least it is relatively easy to distinguish between males and females.

The frog was quite dry, so we suspected that it had been out of the water for sometime.  Concerned for its well being, especially with the prospect of a sunny day threatening to de-hydrate it and bring out the neighbourhood’s cats to investigate, we decided to move the frog to a safer place.

Carefully a colleague picked up the animal and transported it to an area of overgrown, shady scrub and made sure the frog was well hidden.  We suspect that since this creature showed no outward signs of any harm, it may simply have been exhausted after the exertions of the last few days.  By placing it a quiet, sheltered spot, we are confident that this frog will recover and perhaps return again next year to our office pond to breed.

The frogs have certainly been busy over the last week or so, we have a record amount of frog spawn in the pond, perhaps as many as eight females have laid eggs.