Please beware of Crocs.

[bamafan]

A year or more ago, a local got bit while spearfishing. A cave diver got bit entering a cenote earlier this year.

The crocs use the open water to move up and down the coast of the island. They are pretty territorial, so they end up going back and forth. They are frequently seen entering the water up north (Playa Azul, Westin, etc.) as they move from the golf course area to the beach. Same thing down south; they leave the swampy areas to head out to open water. There was a great photo of one not long ago on Facebook showing it ambling between the beach chairs on the way to the water.

I haven't heard about a cave diver getting bit. Are you sure it wasn't the illegal alien from Honduras or Guatemala who was going for a midnight swim with his dog in Aerolito?

 

[Dave Dillehay]

From what I hear, it was a cave diver entering Aerolito.

Save Dillehay
Aldora Dibers!

 

[JamesBon92007]

Not all search results are created equal:
View attachment 418819

I think this is the one you were talking about:

Where was that photo (top) taken?

And to think I went all the way to Costa Rica to see some crocs.

 

[gopbroek]

Anyone know if the Caleta cenote croc is back in residence, went by the other day and did not see him. I didn't have anything to bang on the rocks to ring the dinner bell so I was not sure if he was home or not.

 

[bamafan]

From what I hear, it was a cave diver entering Aerolito.

Save Dillehay
Aldora Dibers!

I remember seeing German Yanez post an article on this attack. This is the only one I have heard about in Aerolito.

100-6211 | CrocBITE

I have never seen the crocodile inside the little pool where the mouth of the cave is. In fact in the last few trips I haven't seen him at all. I will have to ask German on my next trip down in a few months.

 

[Sloeber]

Anyone know if the Caleta cenote croc is back in residence, went by the other day and did not see him. I didn't have anything to bang on the rocks to ring the dinner bell so I was not sure if he was home or not.

I caught this on a visit in April 2016. Haven't been past there recently, however.

I'll note I just stumbled upon this during my visit to the cenote. I took no part in the feeding and don't know how common this is.

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[JamesBon92007]

I'll be sure and not wear a green baseball cap when I dive the cenotes. He's now trained to expect food from people, at least the ones with the right hat.

 

[bamafan]

I caught this on a visit in April 2016. Haven't been past there recently, however.

I'll note I just stumbled upon this during my visit to the cenote. I took no part in the feeding and don't know how common this is.

<div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Sadly I think there are some "eco tours" that are doing this. I have seen several tours come up and the tour guide would slap the water and the crocodile would swim up. I figured they were feeding the crocodile to get this behavior. German Yanez has told me he has seen this done for years. Sadly we all know what happens as an innocent wild animal will be killed after it looses it fear of humans.

 

[Sloeber]

Years ago Punta Sur Eco Marine Park used to do a pontoon float into the lagoon and feed the crocs. They'd call the crocs in exactly as you described. I went once to experience it. All the guests ran to the bow of the boat the moment a croc was spotted. The bow actually struggled to stay above water level so many people crowded the front. But the croc didn't stop coming towards the boat and suddenly everyone was backpedaling as fast as they could tripping over each other but still trying to get photos. I laughed but figured it was just a matter of time before it became an issue. I heard from guests about a year ago that the park no longer sends the boat into the lagoon to feed. Probably a wise decision.

 

[cozdiver3]

Thanks Dave now that I just wet myself.