![John P. Rafferty](https://cdn.britannica.com/cam/profile/982708b5-26ba-47b1-a715-16e9328ce204_1.jpeg?w=200&h=200)
John P. Rafferty
Encyclopædia Britannica Editor
Connect with John P. Rafferty
John P. Rafferty writes about Earth processes and the environment. He serves currently as the editor of Earth and life sciences, covering climatology, geology, zoology, and other topics that relate to the natural world. Prior to joining Encyclopaedia Britannica in 2006, he held teaching positions at Lewis University, Roosevelt University, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Primary Contributions (405)
![American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)](https://cdn.britannica.com/96/189996-050-9D0734C1/American-crocodile.jpg?w=320&h=240)
American crocodile, (Crocodylus acutus), moderately large species of crocodile inhabiting forests and freshwater environments, as well as brackish and marine intertidal environments, in Florida, Central America, northern South America, and several Caribbean islands. This species has the largest…
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