Crocodylus ferox
| San Jorgé Crocodile | |
|---|---|
| |
| Crocodylus ferox | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia
|
| Phylum: | Chordata
|
| Class: | Reptilia
|
| Order: | Crocodilia
|
| Family: | Crocodylidae
|
| Genus: | Crocodylus
|
| Species: | C. ferox
|
| Binomial name | |
| Crocodylus ferox Montez, 1830
| |
Crocodylus ferox, commonly known as the San Jorgé Crocodile, is a large species of crocodilian found in the San Jorgé and Rio Preto basins in Gran Cuscatlan. They are distinguishable by their lighter colored bodies and slender snouts. This species reached an average of 14ft (4m) in length, with the males being larger than females. The largest recorded specimen, a large male from São Garciha in Paratapais was found to be 18.9ft (5.7m) long.
While San Jorgé crocodiles are not the largest species of crocodilian in the New World, they are remarkably one of the most aggressive. C. ferox has had more recorded attacks on humans per locality than any other species in the genus Crocodylus, and is feared throughout its range for its feisty nature. They are known to prey on smaller caimans and even sometimes Inyurstan Crocodiles in the north-eastern portion of their range.