Last Updated on September 14, 2023 by Amin Tawar
Are There Crocodile In Maine?
Maine’s waterways are home to species like green crab, northern pike, and emerald ash borer. However small those species may look next to a crocodile, they actually can live here. Whereas crocodiles, on the other hand, occur only in the southern regions of the United States.
In the U.S., the American crocodile’s habitat distribution is limited only to the southern region of Florida, with two being found in the Tampa Bay region. They are mostly found in the southern latitude of Miami, Florida Bay, Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, Biscayne Bay, and the Florida Keys.
Could a crocodile live in Maine?
Contrary to other misinformations and the existence of the American alligator is not the actual reason for the American crocodile to be incapable of inhabiting the brackish waters and other waterways of the U.S. including Maine, but rather it is only because of the climate.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife has stated that it is very unlikely for crocodiles to have an established population in wild Maine and this is only because of the temperatures here, versus where they are natively from.
Crocodiles cannot live in Maine for a long period, as the average body temperature needed for crocodiles is around 30-33°C. Whereas the temperatures in Pine Tree State are only around 15-20°C even in summer which is too cold for them to thrive.
Mystery Behind 29-foot crocodile in Maine?
Many users on some social media shared a video, claiming that shows a huge crocodile in an uncommon place: Maine. The video displays what seems to be the biggest crocodile floating on the surface of a water body.
Its tail and head appear to move from time to time and divers approach the reptile. At the end, a clip shows a rope attached to its head. The captions read, “Yes, it is a 29-foot crocodile lurking in a Maine lake,”. Which is believed to be the world’s biggest crocodile.
Actually, the video displays a 30-foot animatronic crocodile built for a movie and it is not an actual living animal. It was created by Stan Winston Studio for a film maned “Lake Placid” which is about a huge crocodile terrorizing locals of Maine.
The Stan Winston School of Character Arts explained the crocodile video and also stated the footage was shot in Castaic Lake in Los Angeles, not a lake in Maine. Associated Press also debunked the video for further clarification.
Also Check Our Guide On Crocodiles In America
Can You Own Crocodiles In Maine?
You cannot own crocodiles in Maine without a proper permit, as it is an exotic species and they pose a relatively higher risk when compared to other invasive species in the state.
Owing or importing these reptiles with a proper permit in the state will lead to the seizing of the animal by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. The owner can be fined or even imprisoned for violation of the state’s law.
Does the US have any Crocodiles?
Yes, there are crocodiles in the United States and the current population of crocodiles is estimated at around 2,000 individuals. The population is growing, which is an indication of the return of the species to the northernmost region of their habitat range. A sizable crocodile population occurs around Homestead, and a few are being sighted in Palm Beach, Pinellas, Brevard, and Sarasota counties of Florida.
Their habitat range in Florida is the only location in the world where crocodiles and alligators coexist. Records reveal they were abundant in regions like Miami Beach, Key Largo, and wherever there were suitable mangroves for foraging and nesting. However, during the late 19th century, hunting crocodiles for leather became very common in the state.
In the early 1910s, habitat destruction began on a huge scale, with the construction of railroads which made crocodile hunters migrate to the Florida Keys to hunt every crocodile in the northeast regions of Florida Bay.
This widespread hunting did not stop until the later 1970s: to the point of only a few, lesser than thirty being counted. As of 2020, the population has been expanding to its former habitat and numbers are multiplying, where old records indicated they were once inhabited.
Also Check Our Guide On Crocodiles In Miami
Conclusion
And that was everything you need to know about the Crocodiles in Maine. I hope this article answered your queries.
Our Source For This Guide.