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Dwarf Crocodile facts

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African dwarf crocodile
The Dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis) is the smallest member of the crocodilian family, hence the dwarf which he brings in the name. He is also the most mysterious, very little is known  about  the habits and customs of this  tiny  creature  of seemingly  delicate  appearance.  They are a timid, and mainly nocturnal crocodile species.

They are relatively small sized when  compared  with their bigger brothers like the Nile crocodile or the Saltwater crocodile. They have a length of  1,5 meters (5 feet) on average, although  specimens can be found that are slightly larger. 

They live  in  rivers, swamps, lakes and wetlands in Sub-Saharan West Africa and West Central  Africa, benefiting from the dense forest existing there to keep their body within  the  ideal temperature. Their territorial distribution in many cases overlaps with that of the slender-snouted crocodile and the Nile crocodile . Their  longevity is estimated at  more than 40 years.

There are 2 peculiarities attributed to them, one is that they intrude on land without hesitation, unlike  other crocodilian species, the other is that they rely on their long legs to climb on branches near the  water  to  warm up in the sun.
Dwarf  Crocodile - Diet

In order to feed themselves they hunt fish, birds, small mammals, frogs and crustaceans, which they do  with ease.

Dwarf Crocodile - Reproduction

These solitary animals only interact more closely in the mating season, which takes place in the beginning of the wet season, from May to June. The dwarf crocodile nests in mounds of vegetation near the  water, and it relies on the heat generated by the rotting vegetation to incubate its very small clutch of eggs. 

The female usually lays between 10 and 20 eggs, that take on average 90 and 110 days to incubate in a nest that she previously built, she watches over the nest and protects the young against predators for an indeterminate period of time. The young can fall prey to great number of predators (birds, fish,mammals and reptiles, including other crocodiles).

Dwarf Crocodile - Conservation status and major threats

Despite being in steep decline in some areas by interference that man has had in parts of the tropics, it is known that, overall there are good and healthy groups of these animals. It is, in this respect,  they  provide up to one quarter of meat consumed in some  areas  of  Central  Africa,  but  over hunting  has  raised the threat of extinction for some populations of these  reptiles. As it is impossible do an accurate  survey, its conservation status is considered vulnerable.

Dwarf Crocodile - Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Sauropsida
Order: Crocodilia
Family: Crocodylidae
Genus: Osteolaemus
Species: O. tetraspis


African Dwarf crocodile snout
See also:

Facts about crocodiles for kids
Black caiman facts
Freshwater crocodile facts
Alligator facts for kids

References:

  • IUCN Red List (May, 2011) http://www.iucnredlist.org
  • FLMNH - Crocodile Species List (May, 2011) http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/cnhc/


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