This Florida native feels compelled to correct Mr. Brian J. Noggle and assure him that along with alligators the United States of America does indeed also have crocodiles. As you can see from the above link, they “cohabit” with alligators. Hence the confusion, I guess. People don’t really think of crocodiles in America for some reason. Maybe because unlike the alligator, the crocodile is not considered worthy of turning into purses and steaks? Anyway, they especially love the area around the nuclear power plant at Turkey Point, south of Miami where I grew up. That’s one nuclear power plant that’s safe from terrorist attacks; even the most fanatic of jihadis ready to blow themselves to bits for Allah would hesitate to first run the gauntlet of giant mutant radioactive crocodiles.
Maybe we should hold the primaries there.
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Well, in my case it was because they drilled into me at school that “Alligators live in America; crocodiles live in Africa.” Another gift of knowledge from the public schools.
Crocodiles are still an endangered species in FL. Which is why even a lot of folks in FL have never seen one. Whereas Alligators are getting to be like rats, not quite as bad as roaches.
Actually it’s more likely that a lot of people in Florida just don’t know the difference between alligators and crocodiles. (Hint: one has a pointy sort of nose, the other a blunt one, but it’s hard to tell sometimes when you’re running in terror.)
I take it back. reading your link I see they are “Threatened” but until recently they were endangered.
There’s plenty of them now.