Crocodiles Spotted Courting on Sanibel Island, Raising Hopes for Nesting

Experts say recent hurricanes have made the island more crocodile-friendly, potentially leading to successful breeding.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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A pair of American crocodiles have been observed together on Sanibel Island in Southwest Florida, sparking hopes that they may build a nest and produce offspring. Sanibel is at the northern edge of crocodile territory, and the last documented crocodile nest on the island was in 1998. Experts say recent hurricanes have altered the island's landscape, making it more conducive to crocodile activity.

Why it matters

The potential for crocodiles to successfully nest on Sanibel Island would be a significant conservation milestone, as the American crocodile is a threatened species in the United States. Their presence on the island also highlights the dynamic relationship between alligators and crocodiles, which coexist in the same subtropical habitat in South Florida.

The details

The crocodile couple was first documented by photograph in February 2025, and a local volunteer has been observing them together since December. Experts say the three major storm surge events that have hit Sanibel in the past two and a half years have transformed the island's waterways, making them more suitable for crocodile habitats. While alligators can be found throughout Florida, American crocodiles are only found in the southern part of the state, primarily in the coastal Everglades region.

  • The crocodile couple was first documented by photograph in February 2025.
  • A local volunteer has been observing the crocodiles together since December.

The players

Chris Lechowicz

Wildlife and habitat management director at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.

Gary Biltgen

A volunteer with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation who has been observing the crocodles.

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What they’re saying

“The three significant storm surge events that occurred over the last two and a half years have transformed most waterbodies on Sanibel to a more crocodile-friendly habitat consisting of brackish water. As a result, they move more freely around the island and use other water bodies. It's also not implausible to have additional crocodiles begin using the island.”

— Chris Lechowicz, Wildlife and habitat management director

What’s next

Experts will continue to monitor the crocodile pair to see if they successfully build a nest and produce offspring, which would be a significant milestone for the species at the northern edge of their range.

The takeaway

The presence of courting crocodiles on Sanibel Island highlights the resilience and adaptability of this threatened species, as well as the dynamic relationship between alligators and crocodiles in South Florida's unique subtropical ecosystem.