Week in Images: Crocs on jet skis, Island Boy arrested, great white shark spotted

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) —

Crocodiles spotted sunbathing on jet skis as they adapt to Florida’s urban landscape

An American crocodile was seen basking on a jet ski in Broward County, Florida, in December 2023. The crocodile was being tracked with a satellite transmitter as part of ongoing research. (Jason Cavalier)

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — American crocodiles in South Florida have been spotted sunbathing on jet skis, kayaks, and paddleboards.

Researchers say the unusual sight is more than just photo-worthy. It reflects a critical adaptation that is helping the species survive in a region increasingly shaped by seawalls and concrete.

An American crocodile was photographed basking on kayaks in Broward County, Florida, in February 2024. The crocodile was being tracked with a satellite transmitter as part of ongoing research. (Jeannette Marquard)
An American crocodile was photographed basking on kayaks in Broward County, Florida, in February 2024. The crocodile was being tracked with a satellite transmitter as part of ongoing research. (Jeannette Marquard)

Once considered endangered and rarely seen outside remote mangrove creeks, the American crocodile has made a notable comeback since receiving federal protection in 1975.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, about 2,000 crocodiles now inhabit Florida’s waterways, up sharply from an estimated 200 adults in the late 1980s. However, this recovery has introduced a new challenge: learning to coexist in a coastal region home to nearly 6.5 million people.

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