Philippine Crocodile

Facts

IUCN CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (CR)

Facts about this animal

The Philippine crocodile has a relatively broad snout and heavy dorsal armour of dermal bones. It resembles Crocodylus novaeguineae, of which it was classed a subspecies until fairly recently. It is a relatively small species, which does not get as big as some of the saltwater crocodiles that are indigenous to the same area., with males usually not growing larger than 3 metres, and females being even smaller. It has 66 to 68 teeth. As in all crocodiles the teeth are always growing, periodically falling out and new ones are growing in. Normally, there are four post-occipital scales, and a group of four larger nuchal scales, but there may be some variation.

Philippines crocodile are essentially restricted to freshwater areas, such as small lakes and ponds, small river courses and marshes. They feed mainly on aquatic invertebrates and small vertebrates. They are considered to be shy and harmless animals that do not attack humans unless provoked.

The females build relatively small mound nests, into which they lay between 7 and 20 eggs. The incubation time is approximately 85 days. As in other crocodiles the mother exhibits parental care.

Did you know?
that the Philippine crocodile is very similar in appearance to the New Guinea crocodile, of which it was classed a subspecies named Crocodylus novaeguineae mindorensis until fairly recently?

Factsheet
Class	REPTILIA
Order	CROCODYLIA
Suborder	EUSUCHIA
Family	CROCODYLIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Crocodylus mindorensis
Name (English)	Philippine Crocodile
Name (French)	Crocodile de Mindoro
Name (German)	Mindorokrokodil
Name (Spanish)	Cocodrilo de Mindoro
CITES Status	Appendix I
CMS Status	Not listed

Photo Copyright by
Scott Sandars

Distribution

Distribution
Range	Philippines
Habitat	Freshwater areas
Wild population	Approx. < 200
Zoo population	44 reported to ISIS (2005)

In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 42 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

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Why do zoos keep this animal

Due to illegal hunting and the destruction of its natural habitat, C. mindorensis is acutely threatened with extinction. The keeping and breeding of this flagship species in zoos as a part of a worldwide coordinated conservation program is therefore urgently needed.

How this animal should be kept

Ideally, crocodiles should be kept in spacious fenced or moat-like exhibits with natural vegetation. The surrounding fence or moat needs to be strong and have substantial foundations as crocodilians are very good at digging. In temperate or colder climatic zones keeping outdoors may, however, be possible at best during the summer period.

Mostly, the animals will have to be kept in indoor facilities where the following minimum standards should apply: For a pair of adults an enclosure with no less than 12 m² land and 15 m² water surface is required, for each additional adult both, land and water part, are to be enlarged by 3 m². Average water depth 80 cm. The landpart should be structured e.g. by logs, the floor should be covered with sand or gravel. Floor temperature locally 35ºC (floor heating), air temperature 24-30ºC, water temperature 24-26ºC. Humidity 60-80 %. Light phase 12-14 h per day, HQI lamps. Daily ultraviolet irradiation. During the reproduction period foliage should be provided as nesting material.