African Dwarf Crocodile

Facts

IUCN VULNERABLE (VU)

Facts about this animal

The African dwarf crocodile has a very short snout, about 1 to 1.3 times as long as broad at the level of the front corners of the eyes. The surface is smooth, without noticeable elevations in front of the eyes. The upper eyelid is completely ossified and its surface smooth. The colour of the upper body surface is uniformly black in adults, and brownish and with dark crossbands in young specimens. The lower surface is light with dark blotches or uniformly black. The iris is brownish. It can grow up to a length of 2.3 m, but is usually about 1.5 m.

Did you know?
that the skin of dwarf crocodiles is considered to be of very poor quality, and consequently hunting pressure has been low? Actually, most reports indicate that the species is in no immediate danger throughout most of its range. In a few areas (particularly Gambia and Liberia), the local populations is, however, thought to be severely depleted and in danger of local extinction.

Factsheet
Class	REPTILIA
Order	CROCODYLIA
Suborder	EUSUCHIA
Family	CROCODYLIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Osteolaemus tetraspis
Name (English)	African Dwarf Crocodile
Name (French)	Crocodile nain
Name (German)	Stumpfkrokodil
Name (Spanish)	Cocodrilo chico africano
CITES Status	Appendix I
CMS Status	Not listed

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Wikipedia

Distribution

Distribution
Range	Africa
Habitat	In swamps and areas of slow-moving freshwater
Wild population	Approx. < 25'000-100'000
Zoo population	203 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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Photo Copyright by
Fritz Geller-Grimm

Why do zoos keep this animal

The African dwarf crocodile is rated vulnerable by IUCN and is listed on Appendix I of CITES. Several zoo associations therefore have initiated coordinated breeding programmes with a view of maintaining a viable ex situ population of this species. Zoos keep the African dwarf crocodile also for educational purposes and as an ambassador species for their threatened West and Central African humid forest habitats. It is a small species and can be nicely presented to the public also by small zoos with a limited budget.

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 3 m² land and 6 m² water surface is required. Average water depth 80 cm. Some large-leaved plants should provide hiding opportunities and shadow, hiding opportunities also underwater (cave, roots). The floor of the land part should be made up of concrete, or should be covered with sand, gravel or bark chips. For nestbuilding foliage or straw shoukld be provided. Floor temperature locally 28ºC (floor heating), air temperature 25-27ºC, water temperature 26-28ºC. Humidity 60-80 %. Light phase 8-12 h per day, HQI lamps. Daily ultraviolet irradiation.