Osmoregulation of Crocodiles in Everglades National Park
Dunson WA. 1980. Osmoregulation of Crocodiles in Everglades National Park. SFRC T-599. South Florida Natural Resources Center. Homestead, Florida
There are very few reptiles that carry out their entire life cycles in sea water. The true sea snakes (Hydrophiidae) are the most specialized of these forms, but some members of several other families of snakes have similar habits (Homalopsidae, Acrochordidae, Colubridae; Dunson and Dunson, 1973, 1979; Dunson, 1975, 1980). The sea turtles are of course well adapted for a marine existence, but retain a dependence on land for egg laying. Among crocodilians there are several species which are regularly observed in estuaries and even in the open sea. However, it appears that the so-called "salt water" crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, makes its nests along tidal rivers in areas of fresh or brackish water (Messel and Butler, 1977).
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Dunson, William
- Date of Issue
- 1980-06
- Publisher
- South Florida Natural Resources Center
- Units
- EVER
- Keywords
- crocodiles, everglades, osmoregulation, SFNRCTRS