POPULATION STATUS OF THE AMERICAN CROCODILE (CROCODYLUS ACUTUS) IN EL CAJON RESERVOIR, HONDURAS

During 2005 and 2007, we examined status of populations of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in three rivers at El Cajon Reservoir in central Honduras. Number of crocodiles per kilometer of survey varied by river and time of study. Most observations were of hatchlings and yearlings, but juveniles, subadults, and adults also were observed. Sex ratio in the reservoir was 1:1.4 male:female. Assuming that sex ratio and size-class structure were representative of the overall population, our study suggests that the population in El Cajon Reservoir is stable.