Belize Crocodile
Belize CrocodileBelize CrocodileBelize CrocodileBelize Crocodile

Belize Crocodile

Crocodylus moreletii

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
50–60% · Likely
overall probability at Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve
121 Verified records at Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve
April Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's active during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

Morelet's crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii), also known commonly as the Mexican crocodile, the Belize crocodile, and el cocodrilo de pantano in Spanish, is a modest-sized crocodilian in the family Crocodylidae. The species is found only in the Atlantic regions of Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. It usually grows to about 3 metres (10 ft) in total length (tail included). It is a species at least concern for extinction according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The species has a fossil record in Guatemala. Wikipedia →

50–60% of wildlife watchers report a Belize Crocodile sighting in Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, based on 121 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Closest Relatives at Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve

American Crocodile
VU

American Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus acutus

40–50% · Likely

📅 Monthly Probability

50–60
Jan
60–70
Feb
50–60
Mar
70–80
Apr
50–60
May
40–50
Jun
50–60
Jul
60–70
Aug
30–40
Sep
50–60
Oct
40–50
Nov
50–60
Dec

☀️ When They're Spotted

Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)

☀️Diurnal
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

Global Distribution

Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.

where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is)  ·  parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Probability
1 Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
50–60%
2 Celestún Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
40–50%
3 Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
40–50%
4 Calakmul Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
30–40%
5 Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
20–30%
6 Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary 🇧🇿 Belize
Insufficient data
7 Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park 🇲🇽 Mexico
Insufficient data
8 Biotopo Cerro Cahuí 🇬🇹 Guatemala
Insufficient data
9 Cañón del Sumidero National Park 🇲🇽 Mexico
Insufficient data
10 Cumbres de Monterrey National Park 🇲🇽 Mexico
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Belize Crocodile in Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve?

About 57% of wildlife watchers report a Belize Crocodile sighting in Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, based on 121 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Belize Crocodile in Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve?

April has the highest sighting rate for Belize Crocodile in Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve in our monthly data.

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