The Croc Docs

08/24/2026

The Croc Docs are honored to be selected as the recipient (along with Joey Brown of Hope Zoo, Jamaica) of the upcoming CrocFest at Zoo Miami 24 October. The Croc Docs got their start workng on the American crocodile in Florida and are thrilled to continue the work internationally in Jamaica and Belize. Join us!

08/05/2026

Join the Croc Docs at CrocFest at Zoo Miami 24 Oct.

Please join us for MIAMI CROCFEST at Zoo Miami on Saturday, Oct 24, 2026!!

07/17/2026

Another successful research conference for the Croc Docs!🥼

Last week, members of our team had the privilege to travel to New Orleans and speak about some of our ongoing research projects and initiatives at the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (JMIH).

At this conference our Croc Docs were able to spread the world about some of the exciting work our lab is conducting on both our native crocodylians but also various invasive species.

From changing disease dynamics by invasive pythons and agamas to better practices in utilizing the latest technology in conservation work, the Croc Docs were able to make their presence known. Great job team!

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¡Otra exitosa conferencia de investigación para Croc Docs! 🥼

La semana pasada, los miembros de nuestro equipo tuvieron el privilegio de ir a Neava Orleáns y hablar sobre algunos de nuestros proyectos e iniciativas de investigación en curso en la Reunión Conjunta de Ictiólogos y Herpetólogos (JMIH).

En esta conferencia, nuestros Croc Docs pudieron difundir el mundo sobre parte del emocionante trabajo que nuestro laboratorio está realizando tanto en nuestros cocodrilos nativos como en varias especies invasoras.

Desde la dinámica cambiante de la enfermedad por pitones y agamas invasoras hasta mejores prácticas en la utilización de la última tecnología en el trabajo de conservación, los Croc Docs pudieron dar a conocer su presencia. ¡Buen trabajo, equipo!

06/17/2026

If you’ve seen Asian Swamp Eels, leave a comment below!

As we continue our strategic outreach campaign to raise awareness about the negative effects of invasive Asian Swamp Eels, we are asking for your help!

If you live in South Florida and believe to have seen/reported Asian Swamp Eels in your local waterways, leave a comment below of where you’ve seen them! Every little bit helps us better understand where these invasive fish may be spreading to.

Also, keep a look out for our new Asian Swamp Eel ‘Wanted Posters’, like this one, posted at with the help of and other collaborators! And as always, if you see invasive species, report them!

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Si has visto Asian Swamp Eels, ¡deja un comentario a continuación!

A medida que continuamos con nuestra campaña de divulgación estratégica para crear conciencia sobre los efectos negativos de las anguilas de pantano asiáticas invasivas, ¡estamos pidiendo su ayuda!

Si vives en el sur de Florida y crees haber visto/reportado anguilas de pantano asiáticas en tus vías fluviales locales, ¡deja un comentario a continuación sobre dónde las has visto! Cada poco nos ayuda a entender mejor hacia dónde pueden estar propagándose estos peces invasores.

Además, ¡esté atento a nuestro nuevo ‘Wanted Posters’ de Asian Swamp Eel, como este, publicado en con la ayuda de y otros colaboradores! Y como siempre, si ves especies invasoras, ¡repórtalas!

06/04/2026

An invasive reptile is quietly expanding its range across the Florida Everglades, The Croc Docs based at UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center are working to understand what that means for one of the world’s most important restoration projects.

A new study synthesizes more than 70 years of research on the spectacled caiman, a species native to Central and South America that is now established in parts of South Florida. Researchers say key questions remain about how the species may interact with native wildlife and ongoing Everglades restoration efforts.

Scientists are continuing to track caiman movements, study nesting behavior, and develop new tools to detect emerging populations. Public reports of sightings can also help researchers and wildlife managers better understand where the species is spreading.

If you spot a spectacled caiman, report it through the IveGot1 app, by calling 1-888-IVEGOT1, or through EDDMapS. Learn more 🔗 tr.ee/AnPnfOa0mK

05/22/2026

It’s International Day for Biological Diversity! 🌎🐊

On this day we celebrate the amazing species that make up our planets biodiversity. Here at the Croc Docs, we have the privilege to work alongside two crucial indicator species: the American alligator and American crocodile.

In the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, these two species pay a large role shaping landscapes and controlling prey populations. Along with this, scientists use crocs and gators as indicator species, allowing us to gauge the overall health of the wetlands they inhabit. Without the insight brought by crocs and gators, scientists and wildlife managers would have less tools to help protect and restore habitat for the hundreds of other species inhabiting Florida’s marshes, swamps, and estuaries.

With long term conservation efforts, both species have been able to come back from the brink of extinction - with American alligators being of least concern and American crocodiles being downgraded from endangered to threatened by the IUCN!

¡Feliz día internacional de la Diversidad Biológica!🌎🐊

En este día celebramos las especias increíbles componen la biodiversidad de nuestro mundo. Aquí con los Croc Docs, tenemos el privilegio de trabajar junto a dos especies indicadoras cruciales: el alligator americano y el cocodrilo americano.

En el ecosistema de los Grandes Everglades, estas dos especies desempeñan un papel importante en la configuración de los paisajes y el control de las poblaciones de presas. Junto con esto, los científicos utilizan alligators y cocodrilos como especies indicadoras, lo que nos permite medir la salud general de los humedales que habitan.

Sin la visión aportada por alligators y cocodrilos, los científicos y los administradores de vida silvestre tendrían menos herramientas para ayudar a proteger y restaurar el hábitat de los cientos de otras especies que habitan en las marismas, pantanos y estuarios de Florida.

Con los esfuerzos de conservación a largo plazo, ambas especies han prohíbo volver del borde de la extinción. Con los alligators, estadounidenses de menor preocupación y los crocidrilos estadounidenses degradados de peligro de extinción a amenazados por la UICN!

05/18/2026

This award could not have gone to a more deserving team. CrocFest has made what was impossible, possible, and changed lives of the recipients. Congratulations!

05/05/2026

Join the Croc Docs at CrocFest at Zoo Miami, 24 October 2026.

Announcement: we are thrilled to post that FLORIDA CROCFEST 2026 will take place on Saturday, 24 October 2026! Our host facility for the second time ever will be ZOO MIAMI!!! Special thanks to Zoo Director Will Elgar and the entire staff at Zoo Miami! Plan accordingly and help us make this the best CrocFest yet!! Project beneficiaries to be announced shortly, under separate cover.

05/05/2026

Our newest publication. Kudos to Treya Picking for completing the first island-wide survey for American crocodiles in Jamaica. Thanks to CrocFest for their support.

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04/09/2026

An elusive invader is slipping through South Florida’s canals and scientists need your help to track it.

Asian swamp eels are hard to detect, but residents and outdoor enthusiasts are becoming a critical part of early detection efforts during . A single sighting could make a difference.

Learn how you can help stop their spread 🔗 tr.ee/soKc9dm_d8