Meet the Crocodiles of the “Croczilla” Everglades Documentary

Every Story Has Its Cast of Characters

An American crocodile stares back from the shallows of a boat ramp at Flamingo Marina, Everglades National Park.

No story is complete without its cast of characters. Meet the American crocodiles of our "King of the Everglades" independent documentary.

HALF JAW

Photo credit: oneWildlifer from InstaGram and Facebook

The most recognizable American crocodile in Everglades National Park, Half-Jaw has been a fixture at Flamingo Marina for over two decades. Named for his distinctive lower jaw, which was severely damaged in what biologists believe was a territorial battle with another large male, this resilient reptile has adapted remarkably to his injury.

Estimated to be 40 years old and measuring approximately 13 feet, Half-Jaw has become something of an ambassador for his species, often visible to visitors as he basks along the marina's edge. Unlike many of his more reclusive relatives, he's grown accustomed to human presence, making him one of the few American crocodiles that can be reliably observed in the park.

Park rangers have documented his seasonal movements between the marina's brackish waters and the fresher inland waterways, providing valuable insights into crocodile behavior. Despite his injury, Half-Jaw maintains a significant territory and has been observed successfully hunting fish, birds, and small mammals—a testament to the remarkable adaptability of these ancient predators.

For researchers, Half-Jaw represents an important case study in the resilience of American crocodiles, a threatened species that has slowly recovered in southern Florida over the past few decades.

FREDDY

Freddy gazes over the water as he patrols Flamingo Marina, the region he calls home.

"Freddy," a distinctive American crocodile residing in Flamingo Marina, has become one of the most recognized inhabitants of Everglades National Park. Known for his unusually broad snout and the distinctive ridge pattern along his back, Freddy has established himself as the alpha crocodile of the marina. Visitors and researchers have frequently observed him aggressively chasing other crocodiles out of his territory, asserting his dominance in this prime habitat.

Estimated to be 30-35 years old and measuring nearly 12 feet in length, Freddy exhibits remarkable tolerance for human activity, often seen basking on the boat ramps or floating calmly near the docks. His predictable habits have made him a favorite among park rangers and visitors alike.

Researchers have noted Freddy's particular preference for the marina's western section, where he's established a well-defined territory that he defends vigorously. During breeding season, he becomes notably more active, with his distinctive bellowing calls echoing across the water at dawn and dusk.

Park biologists have documented Freddy's feeding patterns extensively, observing his skilled fishing techniques and occasional scavenging of discarded fish scraps—behavior that highlights the adaptability of American crocodiles in human-adjacent environments.

CROCZILLA

Photo credit: Sergio Rodriguez (@alovelettertonature on Instagram)

The enigmatic star of our documentary "King of the Everglades," is rumored to be the largest American crocodile in Florida's history. Estimated to exceed 15 feet in length and potentially over 50 years old, this legendary apex predator has established a vast territory in the remote southern reaches of Everglades National Park.

Unlike more visible crocodiles like Freddy and Half-Jaw at Flamingo Marina, Croczilla remains exceptionally elusive, retreating deep into inaccessible mangrove forests and rarely-traveled waterways. Park biologists have documented massive tracks and nesting sites that suggest the presence of an unusually large crocodile, but comprehensive photographic evidence remains scarce.

Local guides and veteran rangers speak of occasional sightings—a massive silhouette gliding beneath tannin-stained waters or dramatic accounts of an enormous crocodile surfacing briefly before disappearing into the labyrinthine channels. These fleeting encounters have cemented Croczilla's status as both a scientific curiosity and a modern wildlife legend.

KING

A colossal American crocodile recently revealed to us by veteran park rangers, represents perhaps the most compelling rival to Croczilla's legendary status. Dwelling primarily around Paurotis Pond, which lies tantalizingly close to Nine Mile Pond—Croczilla's notorious territory—this mammoth predator has attained near-mythical status among a small circle of Everglades experts.

Rangers patrolling this boundary zone describe rare glimpses of a crocodile potentially exceeding 16 feet in length, with an unusually broad skull and distinctive scarring along his right flank. The proximity of these two legendary creatures' domains has fueled speculation about potential territorial conflicts between these apex predators.

Unlike Croczilla, who reportedly maintains a solitary existence, King has been observed tolerating smaller male crocodiles within his extensive territory around Paurotis Pond—behavior that has earned him his regal moniker.

Wildlife photographers have captured tantalizing but inconclusive evidence: massive slide marks on remote banks, unusually large prey remains, and fleeting images suggesting a crocodile of extraordinary proportions. One ranger's account from the marshy border between Paurotis and Nine Mile Pond describes a dramatic territorial display where King allegedly drove off multiple large alligators simultaneously, demonstrating remarkable power and aggression.

The potential for these titans to encounter one another in the contested borderlands of their territories adds an unexpected dimension to our documentary—a natural drama of epic proportions playing out in Florida's most mysterious wilderness.