photoartflightCrocodile At J.N. Ding Darling NWR
This is from a trip to J.N.Ding Darling NWR in May of 2005. We were surprised to see a Crocodile along the Wildlife Drive. They had people there to make sure people did not get close to it and also to keep an eye on where it might go next. It was interesting to see such a large Crocodile there, just sunning on the shoreline. Also it seemed to keep it’s mouth open the whole time showing off it’s menacing Large teeth! Back then I was using a Canon 1D mkII with a 100-400mm lens with a 1.4x Teleconverter. The featured image was taken @385mm with a 100-400mm lens @ 385mm.
100-400mm w/ 1.4X Teleconverter
photoartflight 
Though I’d never get near one of these, this one looks pretty docile. 😉 I read that they keep their mouths open to keep from overheating. Also there are birds (I think in Africa?) that will clean their teeth for them and the crocs do not eat them as they are doing a service!
Yes, this one was pretty large and seemed like it liked napping. I was using a 100-400mm lens with a 1.4x Teleconverter so I was keeping quite a distance but they were keeping people from trying to touch it or get their photos standing right next to it. Seems common sense is a rarity quite often now.
OMG, that kind of disconnect from the natural world is rather frightening in many ways. Ignorance is not bliss!
Wowza, Reed! That’s a lot of teeth! Great shots. With all the alligators I’m presently seeing, I can clearly see the differences between the crocodile and alligator. No sighting of one yet, although I look around the Everglades NP Gulf Coast location where one might be seen, but not frequently.
Thanks Donna! It was amazing that some people wanted to go up & touch it! They had staff there following it around to keep people from getting too close. It was surprising to see it in other places during the day as it moved around the Refuge. From what I thought they usually liked brackish water and saltwater habitats, but they also go in fresh water.
Yes, crocs like the saltwater, alligators do not. They usually don’t cross into each other’s habitats. But, wildlife likes to amaze and wow us!
I’d certainly give him a wide berth, those teeth 😏. Excellent shots, Reed!
Thanks Belinda! Yes, the teeth really stood out!
Kudos to the Croc dentist in its region – pearly white killing machines and chilling to think what it flosses with ha. Thanks for sharing Reed, we just spent the week with the Gators in south Texas so good timing being able to compare the differences in the species.
Thanks! It was fun to photograph! And it was huge! I was use to seeing alligators, but this Crocodile was huge!
Great shot Reed,they self regulate their internal temperature by opening their mouths.
Thanks! Thanks for the info! I am used to seeing alligators, so did not know much about Crocodiles!
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/croc-and-gator-blog-jun-18-2015#:~:text=It's%20similar%20to%20a%20dog,essentially%20sweating%20through%20their%20mouths.