African Slender-Snouted Crocodile

Scientific Name

Crocodylus cataphractus

size

Length. maximum 13'

characteristics

Adaptations/Coloration. jaw blotched
Dorsal Scales. armour
Snout. slender " ideal for catching fish

behavior

Hunting. swims parallel to river bank " tail curved " small fish caught in shallows

reproduction/life span

Eggs. 13-27
Nest. Mar-July (rainy season) " along banks small forest streams " females known to protect

diet

Wild. crabs, fish, frogs, insects (young), shrimp, & snakes
Zoo. MWPZ crocodiles are fed well, so they shouldn't go after birds - but if a bird falls in the pond . . .

habitat/range

tropical forest of Africa " fresh water (occasionally coastal waters) " West & Central Africa " Mauritania & Senegal to North Angola east to Zaire, Zambia, & East Tanzania

status

rare " Congo population presently not endangered (cites App II) cites all other populations highly endangered (cites App I)

oregon zoo exhibit

Africa Rain Forest