Mainly present in Central America, the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) also lives in northern South America and on the west coast of Mexico, in Haiti, in the Dominican Republic and in Florida. It is found both in the fresh waters of rivers and in the brackish waters of coastal lagoons, estuaries and mangroves. Very comfortable in the water, it is also very agile on dry land where it is capable of lightning acceleration. It hunts from ambush in the water where it drifts, its eyes and nostrils protruding above the surface. The impulse produced with its tail allows it to rise to a height of almost 4.9 feet (1.50 meters) to capture birds.