Crocodile Hunter in Tabasco and Chiapas

Introduction:

I was most excited to see the crocodile, a magnificent and ruthless creature, when I travelled to the Cañón del Sumidero in Chiapas.  The deep, vast canyon is home to this reptile royalty that rules the river that flows through the natural wonder.  This week we will be hunting crocodiles (with our cameras!) in Tabasco’s Parque Tomás Garrido Canabal and Chiapas’s Cañón Del Sumidero.

What does this creature or plant look like?:

The crocodile is covered with scales that create a texture tough enough to match its personality. Its rough gray armour allows it to blend in with the rocky terrain of the banks of the river it inhabits. Although it has a tough exterior, it has a soft underbelly (so I am told; I have never been close enough to feel for myself). The majority of the time, it lies on this underbelly to rest, but when it finally lifts its belly to run, it can reach speeds of 20 miles per hour. Finally, the reptile cannot regulate its own body temperature, so it utilizes strategies like laying out in the sun to warm up and opening its mouth to keep cool.

How did I feel when I saw it?:

Hailing from Oklahoma, I am familiar with interesting reptiles, from venomous rattlesnakes to the less threatening horny toad, but the closest I had ever come to a croc was during my trip to the Oklahoma City Zoo.

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