It is presumed that American Crocodiles in Florida feed primarily on fish, such as bass, tarpon, and especially mullet. But this is not to say that this species preys entirely on fish. Crocodiles are largely opportunistic feeders, and therefore it is not uncommon to find them lying in wait for mammals that come to the water's edge or for water birds, such as storks, egrets, pelicans and ducks that frequent their habitat. When capturing a large bird, the crocodile will not always feed on its prey item instantly but rather carry the bird around for some time. Juvenile crocodiles take a similar approach to feeding but on a smaller scale. They will eat nearly anything that is small enough for them to ingest, including insects, small fish, and frogs and their larvae. It has been reported that this species prefers to hunt during the first hours following nightfall, especially on moonless nights. It is, however, safe to assume that this crocodile will take a meal any time it can get one. The feeding mechanism of crocodiles for large prey is unique in the animal kingdom. Once a crocodile succeeds in capturing a large mammal, it will proceed to drown it. When the animal is dead the crocodile will hold on to one body part and roll its body until the affected part is completely twisted off, thereby creating a bite-size chunk that is easily ingested. If the prey is too large to be consumed in one sitting, it is not uncommon for the crocodile to take it to a hiding place, usually underneath an overhanging bank or submerged log, and consume it at a later time. Small prey will be ingested whole.
