Boating & Outdoor Photos - Croc and Manatee

So you think Florida is reefs and fishing. Here are some pics of a croc and manatee that seem to have friended each other. The odd thing is the croc had a 5 ft tarpon in it's mouth the week before.

Click here for more images


http://youtu.be/ttrwJMQAYF4

Somebodie's been feeding that croc...no fear of humans, not natural.....

The croc is probably trying to figure out how to eat the manatee.

Wasn't that an old Heart song? "The Croc and the Manatee"

After it attacks the first human or some ones pet it'll be gone! They were never meant to co-exist with man living side by side. That's just the way it is.

While this one seems to have formed an attachment and appears to be docile, looks are deceiving. Awesome film none the less! :thumbsup:

neither one is a threat to their food supply.

Somebodie's been feeding that croc...no fear of humans, not natural.....

Crocs do not and have never feared humans. We be just another food source.

You will see bigger and bigger crocs in Florida, the older they are the bigger they get. I have seen photos of 16 footers, just a young pup. Wait till the 21 footers get hungry.

If you have watched the chicken grabbing crocs in Australia, you will realize that a 12 footer can make a lunge out of the water and grab something on the edge of that dock, especially if it a kid leaning over the edge.

Fools around crocs results in the croc being a victim of the animal control guys.


When I was a kid in SE Georgia we had big gators in the Altamaha Swamps and they got lots of respect. I betcha in the near future you will see crocs in NE Florida and SE Georgia. The American croc is a lot nastier than a gator.

American Saltwater Crocs are not like Gators they have no fear and are a lot more aggressive.

Croc is waiting for the manatee to pack on a bit more weight. :grin:

Croc is waiting for the manatee to pack on a bit more weight. :grin:

This. :thumbsup:

After watching that you tube, it makes you think that crocs can live amongst us. They are not friendly or pets. This pic was taken in our canal also. it shows a different side of the croc that you saw in the video.

just recently there was a croc in key largo that took a dog from a dock. i'd definitely be wary of this guy...

http://keysnews.com/node/38806

bigguy40,

What key is what that pic taken? I still have not seen one in the keys but everyone else seems to have. (although i havent been down a few months).

the majority of the crocs are seen on the bay side of Key Largo. I have recently heard the crocs are as far south as Islamorada. There are hundreds of them in Key Largo. We see them in our Key Largo canal regularly. I have had friends see them in Blackwater Sound just swimming. I have not seen that as of yet. Years ago they were down to about 200 left in the US. I understand the number now approaches 2000. There has been enormous growth in the population. Since the dog event people are coming forward and telling there scary story. I don't know where it ends but there will be more human/croc contact in the future. Watch your fingers..

I live in Key Largo on the ocean side in Largo Sound. I've seen them over here, on the bayside of Adam's Cut, swimming by Sundowners, up in Lake Surprise, in Blackwater sound, in canals around Blackwater Sound, and even down on the south side of Tavernier Creek.

An FWC buddy of mine says that they are here, have been for awhile (20-30 years) and to just get used to it. They will eventually find their way back if relocated.

maybe manatees are more nadass than we think... the manatee was always in a pursuit position...

nice footage though

no way that croc stays in my canal, someone would "git em" and i would care less. good riddance, those f'ers scare me

no way that croc stays in my canal, someone would "git em" and i would care less. good riddance, those f'ers scare me

After he got that dog off that dock, I volunteered to "git 'em" but was advised not to.

The FWC says that right now. There are so many of them now. Eventually the policy will have to change. They made the policy when there were 200 crocs. Just like gators when there was only a few. after a while, they started hunting them to keep the number of them in check. Something will have to be done to keep them in check. Maybe moving them to other parts of Florida or something. Or destroying the problem crocs. Not sure how it goes but eventually they will change the policy.

SSS
(shoot shovel shut up)

my dad used to have a mobile home in Sexton Cove. He sold it in the late 90s. At that time there was talk that people had seen 1 or 2 crocs in the canals there. As kids we would always swim in those canals. I dont know if I would these days with all the reports.

After he got that dog off that dock, I volunteered to "git 'em" but was advised not to.

A good crossbow and walmart bolts (everyone hasem)

They have definitely made it down to Marathon. I have seen 2 different ones recently. One is about 6-foot and one is around 9 foot. Here is a pic of the 9 footer. We pulled up next to it on a golf cart and his head stuck out 2 feet in front and his tail was a good 3 feet out the back.

where in marathon is that and is the water in the background fresh or salt? thanks

where in marathon is that and is the water in the background fresh or salt? thanks

Its on hole 7 of the golf course. All the water is salt. I have only seen this one on the course but I have seen the 6 footer several times in the canals that connect to the course, while in the boat. Which would put it in the sombrero/flamingo island area if you are familiar with Marathon.

Its on hole 7 of the golf course. All the water is salt. I have only seen this one on the course but I have seen the 6 footer several times in the canals that connect to the course, while in the boat. Which would put it in the sombrero/flamingo island area if you are familiar with Marathon.

i'm on the bay side just south of vaca cut, i've always heard rumors that there could be some in the canal system, we need the sharks and croc's to go to war! has anyone ever seen them in the open water ocean side or by the sandbars?

First....awesome Video. And Cool Pics. You guys in S. fla get an awesome array of wildlife.
Now to throw my $0.02. There has never been a reported American Croc (Crocodylus acutus) attack in the US in the wild. (there was one suspected recently in the last two years on a kayaker, but was never proven to be a croc and thought to be a gator hanging out in the bay due to the bite marks.) DOn't quote me, but I want to say about 30-40 gator attacks since the 70's with only about 2 dozen that died. Vending machines have killed more people that American Crocodilians. These crocs are more timid and shy than those of their African (C. niloticus) or Austrailian (C. Porosus) kin. They will take any animal that they see as a meal, and I'm sure it's a matter of time before a person does get injured by one. The American crocs live all through South Fla and the Carribbean and central and south america. The numbers of these guys were down significantly, but thankfully they are making a come back in the US.

For those that want to SHOOT it.... WHY???:mad:

If it hasn't caused you a problem then why kill it? If it's taking your dog, your kid, or something like that, then I can understand. Don't get me wrong...i wouldn't go swimming right next to him, but be aware of your surroundings and learn to live with them! When you build your house on a canal on the edge of the everglades that has been there for hundreds or thousands of years you expect that these animals are going to just go away? HA! :rofl: Good luck! Get rid of the birds, snakes, deer, insects, and anything else breathing too? There were quite a few of these lost with that cold winter a couple years back, but numbers are coming back and that's a good thing. Leave them alone and usually they leave you alone. Don't mistake the African or Austrailian crocs for the Americans....completely differnt animals with a completely different disposition. You walk up to an american croc and 99% of the time it swims away. You do have these IDIOTS that feed them and then they lose their fear, but for the most part, gators are the ones that suffer that fate.

As far as a quick anatomy lesson. Crocs have salt glands so they can excrete salt, hence they can live in salt water! Gators lack this gland and though they can hang out in salt water for days to weeks they have to get back to freshwater to get hydrated. In other words, crocs and gators can both be seen in salt and freshwater.

Good luck and in my opinion ENJOY THE WILDLIFE you guys have in your back yard. It's amazing and 99% of the rest of the United states (including me in tampa) don't get to see.:thumbsup:

Thanks for some common sense, Mikestyger:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Let me just address a few of the points brought up by Mikestyger1. First off, there haven't been any croc attacks in the US because there haven't been any crocs to speak of. In the 1990's there were about 200 hundred of these animals left in America. They were located on the north(unpopulated) part of Key Largo. There was a big development that went bankrupt in the 70's ish and the croc found this as a refuge.

For the last 50 years, there were not human interactions because there were no crocs to have encounters with. Since the 1990's, between protections and a lot of luck, the population of crocs has exploded in Key Largo. They went from 200 to apporx 2000 crocs. There will be numerous encounters in the future due to this huge increase in crocs.

To address the people in the Kayak that you claim to be a gator. There are no gators in the Sexton Cove portion of Key Largo period. The only gator known to live in the keys is 1 very largo gator in Marathon that lives in a fresh water hole there. The officials do not want to claim a croc attack on humans, but I think it was merely a stunned croc that was sleeping and they startled him. They were out in kayaks at night just ghosting along. I think they ran him over, it startled him, the kayaks flipped and they got scratched by him at it fled the scene. But there is no doubt by most locals..it was a croc.

That is not to say that the crocs really fear humans. I've had more than one croc swimming down the canal challenge my 25 ft boat and not want to give way. They swim right at you sometimes , that is not a croc that is afraid of human contact. But I will say that most will swim to the side or submerge when you approach. But there are those that challenge humans. Those will be the problem animals in the future.

The reason that crocs are getting press in the keys is that the population of them has increased so much that they are spreading out and going towards Miami and Marathon. There range will spread and the human contact will increase. Not sure what it all means except expect to see more articles written and more talk about it. I do know that eventually one grabs an big animal or kid in it's quest for food. When that day comes we will all look at the American croc differently.

Just an fyi. The gator you are referring to would be at the blue hole on Big Pine, not in Marathon.

Big guy...good points brought up and me not being a local I cant dispute the croc on the kayakers. As far as interactions, you are completely right. With the population increasing its only a matter of time before something happens. its the same story but crocs have ridden it out this long without a bad wrap. Lookin across the us you have mountain lions, black and brown bear, and even confirmed mocking bird attacks. With the evre growing population it is inevitable.
As far as disposition, I stick with the the fact thT in general american Crocs are more timid. You will always have individuals of any species that are outliers. If someone has been feeding it, or a protective mother, or its having a bad day then as with any living thing it will defend itself. Considering us a food source is possible but highly unlikely. Racoons, waterfowl, fish, pythons are way more likely and a lot less likely to injure the croc than we are. Not saying its impossible, but unlikely.
My main concern is having people with attitudes of shoot and kill any animal taht could possibly cause harm. With that logic the US would have zero native wilslife and a lot of dumb people!
Thanks for the discussion. You obviousy are up to date on your happenings in s. Fla.

I'm in Key Largo as well - Ocean Side in Port Largo and haven't seen any as of yet. We regularly go through Adams Cut and Tavernier Creek to the bay side. From what I understand, the penalties for killing these animals are extremely severe.

That dog that got taken from the dock was an absolute wake up call for a lot of folks around here. Just since that incident, the number of people swimming in the canals seems to have dropped way off (nothing scientific - just observation).

We have an Alligator in my canal. Not normal at all to have them in here. He likely got sucked through the flood gate out west when they opened to drain some water out of the lakes and canals out west by the everglades.

He is about a 5 footer. There is an upside though. The duck problem is under control. In fact I think he ate all of them. I feel sad for the ducks, but I hated they way they crapped all over my dock, engine bracket and driveway.

Wanted part-time: Crocodile Handlers in Florida $25 per hour
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/12/12170703-wanted-crocodile-handlers-no-experience-required

You would think they would pay more for such a risky part-time job...

That's more than I make. Would be fun minus the six hour drive and the $200 in diesel. Unless the tAxpayers are willing to pay for that expense.

I saw that also and have been thinking it would be a fun job!!

Wanted part-time: Crocodile Handlers in Florida $25 per hour
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/12/12170703-wanted-crocodile-handlers-no-experience-required

You would think they would pay more for such a risky part-time job...
All I can think of is the "faces of death" story with the Fla fish n wildlife officer showing for a problem gator. He wasw all cocky and matter of fact right before the gator he lassoed ripped him out of the boat and killed him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROD4A0jr0Lw

First....awesome Video. And Cool Pics. You guys in S. fla get an awesome array of wildlife.
Now to throw my $0.02. There has never been a reported American Croc (Crocodylus acutus) attack in the US in the wild. (there was one suspected recently in the last two years on a kayaker, but was never proven to be a croc and thought to be a gator hanging out in the bay due to the bite marks.) DOn't quote me, but I want to say about 30-40 gator attacks since the 70's with only about 2 dozen that died. Vending machines have killed more people that American Crocodilians. These crocs are more timid and shy than those of their African (C. niloticus) or Austrailian (C. Porosus) kin. They will take any animal that they see as a meal, and I'm sure it's a matter of time before a person does get injured by one. The American crocs live all through South Fla and the Carribbean and central and south america. The numbers of these guys were down significantly, but thankfully they are making a come back in the US.

For those that want to SHOOT it.... WHY???:mad:

If it hasn't caused you a problem then why kill it? If it's taking your dog, your kid, or something like that, then I can understand. Don't get me wrong...i wouldn't go swimming right next to him, but be aware of your surroundings and learn to live with them! When you build your house on a canal on the edge of the everglades that has been there for hundreds or thousands of years you expect that these animals are going to just go away? HA! :rofl: Good luck! Get rid of the birds, snakes, deer, insects, and anything else breathing too? There were quite a few of these lost with that cold winter a couple years back, but numbers are coming back and that's a good thing. Leave them alone and usually they leave you alone. Don't mistake the African or Austrailian crocs for the Americans....completely differnt animals with a completely different disposition. You walk up to an american croc and 99% of the time it swims away. You do have these IDIOTS that feed them and then they lose their fear, but for the most part, gators are the ones that suffer that fate.

As far as a quick anatomy lesson. Crocs have salt glands so they can excrete salt, hence they can live in salt water! Gators lack this gland and though they can hang out in salt water for days to weeks they have to get back to freshwater to get hydrated. In other words, crocs and gators can both be seen in salt and freshwater.

Good luck and in my opinion ENJOY THE WILDLIFE you guys have in your back yard. It's amazing and 99% of the rest of the United states (including me in tampa) don't get to see.:thumbsup:

yeah well, i guess i'll just wait to be out in on the sandbar or freediving for lobster and have one take a nip at me, my kids or my choc lab. then we'll all say we'll i guess there is a problem!

bulls--- they're not meant to interact with humans, you can take a few up to tampa, and let them start breeding and see what the locals think then. i don't want to jump in the water or a canal and wonder if a freakin croc is around, we've got enuf sharks down here for that.

I have always believed that someday, someone is going to be "taken" by a croc off Elloitt Key.
I've seen quite a few in Biscayne Bay, usually on the west side.

With all the rain we had this summer the creek where my house is got real fresh. We swim in the creek all the time...two were spotted right in front of my neighbors house a couple months ago. The crabs were very happy.

Looks like that manatee thinks the croc is its mama. Notice how it keeps moving under the croc like it wants to find a nipple and nurse? I'm going to bet that "mama" has that baby for lunch some day.

yeah well, i guess i'll just wait to be out in on the sandbar or freediving for lobster and have one take a nip at me, my kids or my choc lab. then we'll all say we'll i guess there is a problem!

bulls--- they're not meant to interact with humans, you can take a few up to tampa, and let them start breeding and see what the locals think then. i don't want to jump in the water or a canal and wonder if a freakin croc is around, we've got enuf sharks down here for that.

guess we should start shooting pit bulls too.:trout:

guess we should start shooting pit bulls too.:trout:

ok, no problem with that either

so we should just shoot everything because you're afraid of it? makes complete since.

You have crocs we have wolves. Neither should be near humans. They see are kids and pets as food. Some will never understand this.

You have crocs we have wolves. Neither should be near humans. They see are kids and pets as food. Some will never understand this.

Actually it shoud be, humans should be near neither.

The original point of this post was to bring awareness of the growing croc population. There is no answer to how we co-exist. Many places in this country we have successfully protected animals and created another problem that society can not figure out how to fix. The black bear in Florida is a good example. I'm sure others could chime in with animals we protected that became a problem.

We protected them, they reproduced. The population spread out, they moved close to humans and started to become a management issue. That is where the croc population in the keys are right now. We don't need to kill them off. On the other hand, as the spread out we will have problems with their contact with humans. The tree huggers say they were here before us. They were. But we are here now.

We, like the crocs, are meat eaters. Although society is much more advanced, we kill food to eat it. You just don't see that because it happens at a slaughter house, they cut it up and you buy it at Publix.

We, the humans, are still the top of the food chain. That doesn't mean kill the crocs. But I feel we as a society are on one side or the other on issues like this. Kill all the crocs or save all the crocs. There needs to be some middle position that says we live with the crocs, bears, panthers or whatever. But when someone, society...determines there is a problem animal..or animals than we turn them into burgers. There will be problem crocs in the future. I think in many southeast states we have some bear problems. Those animals need to be addressed by the FWC. The policy needs to make sense to protect the animals and the humans. BOTH, not one or the other.

That was the reason for the original post. I just want to bring some attention to this subject. Yesterday, my neighbor put his kayak in the canal to put plugs back in his boat. He comes over and said "Can you keep a look out for the croc while I put the plug in my boat." When citizens are getting worried about something, it is governments responsibility to make policy that keeps things on an even keel.

Let the bashing begin!!!

" and even down on the south side of Tavernier Creek."
Yep! Confirmed...

" and even down on the south side of Tavernier Creek."
Yep! Confirmed...

Yea! And he's (or she's) big! I've watched her swim out from that little creek while sitting on my buddies dock at sunset.

Yea! And he's (or she's) big! I've watched her swim out from that little creek while sitting on my buddies dock at sunset.

We must be close...
bayside off sunshine blvd

We must be close...
bayside off sunshine blvd

I don't know the name of the street, but his father is a contractor best known for building docks down here. That's his barge out there in the bay...

I wonder if they taste like chicken?;)

BIgguy40, you need to jump in and do what this guy does.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlz6iNw0Qes&feature=related

SLA1DC that is unreal. How can it be with a wild animal?

So gotta chime in again.
Bigguy: made some good points and there has to be some middle ground. I don't have an answer, but working with crocodilians daily I have a great respect for them. Knowing how this outcome turns out in 3rd world countires around the world, the crocodiles are the losers. I am involved with numerous conservation projects trying to save crocs in different parts of the world because people are encroaching on the area and killing them or their food source.
People are expanding into croc (not to mention bear, wolf, mountain lion, etc) territory. Do we kill all these animals? I appreciate what FWCC has done in the last 30 yrs with the gators. There is a stable population of these animals and now there is a warranted hunting season on these animals as well as the ability for trappers to euthanize "problem" gators as needed.

1Fast6 I couldn't agree with your sarcastic statement more. If someone's afraid of something should we kill it? Well I'm afraid of bunny rabbits and horses (in fact I'm sure horses injure more people in the US than crocs), but that doesn't mean we should go destroy all horses or rabbits? That's ridiculous.

As far as that video with the guy swimming with the big American Croc in South America: I forgot his name, but he's a local that had that croc when it was about 7ft and it was injured supposedly by a couple bullets. He kept it and got it healthy again and started doing shows with it. That animal is pushin around 15ft and I can't argue with the video. not something that I would ever do. I've hand reared a gator and it didn't turn out that way....actually the exact opposite. I wouldn't recommend anyone trying that. (that's the story that I've heard on him, though I've never confirmed it).

As an animal person; my best advice is to use common sense. This is for any areas that may have wild animals. When going camping, hang your food high so not to attract bears (i'm no bear expert at all); When going hiking then make noise so that any animals (mnt lions, etc) know you're in the area and you don't spook them. When going swimming make sure you know the area.....don't swim in water you can't see the bottom. If you're in florida and you don't want to use common sense then move out of fla!

In fact, I am catching and bleeding a 15ft Nile Crocodile tomorrow. Hopefully I can get some pics and post them up tomorrow for any that are interested!

My $.02