Illustration by Leonardo Berges

The crocodile, the largest reptile in the Mundo Maya, inhabits most of the rivers and lakes in the region, and is depicted in numerous glyphs and reliefs on Maya temples. The pre-Hispanic city of Lamanai, in northern Belize, may even have been a ceremonial center dedicated to this living dinosaur; in Maya, the city's name means 'submerged crocodile.'

    The largest species is the river crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), which grows to over nine meters and inhabits rivers, lakes and estuaries. The smallest is the swamp crocodile (Crocodylus moreletti), which lives in streams, lagoons and muddy swamps, the margins of which abound with floating vegetation.

    Crocodiles feed on fish, mollusks and minor reptiles; in addition, raccoons, small Central American mammals called coatis, and turtles. Their main enemies —aside from man— are creatures that hunt their eggs, like coyotes, skunks and cats.

    Crocodiles have been hunted for their skin, a popular material for handicrafts and clothing, and some species were even pushed to the edge of extinction. One crocodile that survived this ignominy is the Cayman (Crocodylus cayman), whose rough and rigid skin has saved it from the leatherworkers.