Males occur only when internal nest temperatures are between 30-32 degrees Celcius, while females are produced in nests that are above or below these temperatures. This makes them equally at home in water or on land. Temperature control is important since they can not generate heat metabolically. Habitat Cuban Crocodiles prefer fresh water marshes or swamps similar to those of the Everglades. They rarely swim in saltwater.
Meat is sold as a delicacy.
The Cuban Crocodiles main threat is humans, who have hunted the crocodile extensively and have largely encroached upon their habitats. They are also threatened by competition for food and land with Caiman in the Lanier Swamps. Today, 3000-6000 Cuban Crocodiles are estimated in the wild. Because much information on the ecology and natural history of the Cuban Crocodile is still unknown, much work needs to be done to increase and protect the remaining wild population. Cuban Crocodiles are well represented in captivity in the U.S., and are continually being studied and bred in an effort to avoid their extinction.