After two months trapped within it's shell, the hatchling needs too much oxygen and needs to come out. Once the hatchlings are out, the mother will often carefully pick them up in her mouth and carry them to the water. If a hatchling can't get out, the mother will gently pick the egg up in her mouth and crack the shell, encouraging the hatchling to come out. Hatchlings generally stay near their mother as they grow, but eventually spread out, sometimes getting eaten by other crocodiles. Those that survive reach maturity after 5 to 15 years.
Males generally grow to be larger than females.
Making their homes in bogs and mangrove swamps, these warm weather lovers range from coastal south Florida to the Florida Keys. Crocodiles are generally olive-grey with dark bands across their back and tail. Crocodiles are excellent hunters in the water. Growing up, they eat insects and small fish. Crocodiles have their own language and like to interact with each other.