Facts about Tarcoles River Crocodiles

1. 07

   Incubation periods for American crocodile eggs in the Tarcoles River last approximately 80 to 90 days, with hatchlings emerging during Costa Rica's late rainy season months.

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2. 06

   Tourists viewing Tarcoles River crocodiles from the bridge above have reported interactions since the 1980s, when the site became a popular ecotourism destination in Costa Rica.

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3. 05

   Nesting female American crocodiles in the Tarcoles River construct mounds of vegetation and mud up to 3 feet high to incubate their eggs during Costa Rica's rainy season.

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4. 04

   American crocodiles in the Tarcoles River can reach lengths of 20 feet or more, with some individuals weighing up to 2,000 pounds in this Costa Rican estuary.

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5. 03

   Approximately 2,000 American crocodiles inhabit Costa Rica overall, with the Tarcoles River population representing roughly 1-2 percent of this national total.

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6. 02

   The Tarcoles River's brackish waters allow American crocodiles to tolerate saltwater conditions better than most freshwater crocodile species, enabling their survival in this unique Costa Rican habitat.

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7. 01

   Over 25 American crocodiles inhabit Costa Rica's Tarcoles River, making it one of the highest concentrations of this endangered species in the world.

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