If You Give A Crocodile A Kawasaki Ultra 310LX | Defector

"In 1975, just three years after the release of the Kawasaki Jet Ski, the American crocodile was nearing extinction in the U.S. The nation's crocodile population, only found in South Florida, had dwindled to just 200 individuals, with 10 to 20 breeding females. The crocodiles' population had plummeted due to habitat development and hunting, for sport or hides. In 1975, the American crocodile was listed on the federal endangered species list, where it stayed for nearly three decades until it was downgraded to threatened status in 2007."

"The population has since rebounded to approximately 2,000 individuals, most of whom dwell in protected areas like the Everglades. But the reptiles' historic South Florida homeland has been transformed from swampy creeks to a heavily developed landscape. The shores where crocodiles once hauled out to bask have been barricaded with sea walls intended to limit erosion. But some heavily developed areas have unintentionally offered the reptiles a very modern refuge for basking: jet skis, paddleboards, and kayaks, according to a paper recently published in the Wildlife Society Bulletin."

"As cold-blooded animals, crocodiles rely on external heat sources to regulate body temperature. Basking in the sun helps the creatures warm up, and gaping (holding their mouth open) helps them release heat during the day and night. And as southern Florida's creeks have vanished to make way for human development, recreational watersports equipment has become the next best thing for the job. It's a sign that crocodiles are adapting to us; the least we can do is adapt to them."

American crocodile numbers in South Florida fell to about 200 individuals by 1975, with only 10–20 breeding females, due to habitat development and hunting for sport or hides. The species was placed on the federal endangered species list in 1975 and remained listed until being downgraded to threatened status in 2007. The population has rebounded to roughly 2,000 individuals, concentrated in protected areas such as the Everglades. Extensive coastal and creek development has eliminated traditional basking shores and added sea walls that limit access. Recreational watercraft and paddlecraft now serve as alternative basking platforms. Cold-blooded physiology drives crocodiles to use sun-basking and gaping to regulate temperature, demonstrating behavioral adaptation to human-altered landscapes.

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