The habitat of American crocodiles includes a broad range of aquatic environments. They inhabit freshwater, including rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and can also be found in brackish environments, such as example estuaries and swamps. There is also a population in a unique hyper-saline lake in the Dominican Republic. Another unlikely environment where American crocodiles are found is along brackish canals bordering a Florida power plant.  American crocodiles create complex burrow systems to provide them an alternative shelter when they are vulnerable to low water levels. These burrows are used as shelter from cold weather, as hiding places, and as a spot to rest. Crocodiles may make the burrow large enough for movement or they may be as shallow as only two feet below the ground. The entrance to the burrow is built at least partially submerged, if not fully submerged underwater. American crocodiles choose an area based on the reliability of a food source. As long as there is a sustainable amount of food, they do not leave the area, with the exception of mating season.

Habitat Regions: tropical ; freshwater

Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams; coastal ; brackish water

Wetlands: marsh

Other Habitat Features: estuarine