There are 23 recognised species of extant crocodilians, divided into three
Families – Alligatoridae (8 species; alligators and caimans), Crocodylidae (14
species; “true” crocodiles and Tomistoma) and Gavialidae (1 species; gharial).
Class Reptilia
Order Crocodilia
Family Alligatoridae (alligators, caimans)
American Alligator
Alligator mississippiensis
Black Caiman
Melanosuchus niger
Broad-snouted Caiman
Caiman latirostris
Chinese Alligator
Alligator sinensis
Spectacled Caiman
Caiman crocodilus
Yacare Caiman
Caiman yacare
Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman
Paleosuchus palpebrosus
Schneider’s Smooth-fronted Caiman
Paleosuchus trigonatus
Family Crocodylidae
Subfamily Crocodylinae (“True”
crocodiles)
African Dwarf Crocodile
Osteolaemus tetraspis
African Slender-snouted Crocodile
Crocodylus cataphractus
American Crocodile
Crocodylus acutus
Australian Freshwater Crocodile
Crocodylus johnstoni
Cuban Crocodile
Crocodylus rhombifer
Morelet’s Crocodile
Crocodylus moreletii
Mugger Crocodile
Crocodylus palustris
New Guinea Freshwater Crocodile
Crocodylus novaeguineae
Nile Crocodile
Crocodylus niloticus
Orinoco Crocodile
Crocodylus intermedius
Philippine Crocodile
Crocodylus mindorensis
Saltwater Crocodile
Crocodylus porosus
Siamese Crocodile
Crocodylus siamensis
Subfamily Tomistominae
False Gharial
Tomistoma schlegelii
Family Gavialidae (gharial)
Indian Gharial
Gavialis gangeticus
Sources: G. Webb and C. Manolis (1989). “Crocodiles of Australia” (Reed Books:
Sydney);
K. Richardson, G. Webb and C. Manolis (2000). “Crocodiles: Inside and
Out” (Surrey Beatty and Sons: Sydney).
