There are no alligators in Jamaica only crocodiles! Jamaica has only one species of crocodile, which is the American Crocodile or Crocodylus acutus. They are found mainly on the south coast, with small populations on the North Coast from Hanover to Trelawny.

The American Crocodile breeds from February to August. The female lays up to 60 eggs and usually nests in sand dunes and on the banks of rivers and swamps and they become very aggressive during this time.

Crocodiles are descendants of dinosaurs and have been around for millions of years so they are very much a part of Jamaica's culture, which explains why their is an American Crocodile on the crest of the Jamaica Coat of Arms.

The American Crocodile is listed as vulnerable worldwide and is protected in Jamaica under the Wildlife Protection Act. You can be fined up to JMD$100,000 or imprisoned for 12 months for harassing, capturing, injuring or killing crocodiles.

If the crocodile is a threat to human activities in your community, you should call the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), or the Hope Zoo to remove the animal.

Sources:

• http://www.nepa.gov.jm/yourenv/biodiversity/Species/crocodile.htm
• www.redlist.org
• www.npca.org