Slender-snouted crocodile

Slender-snouted crocodile
Conservation status
Data Deficient (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Sauropsida
Order:	Crocodilia
Family:	Crocodylidae
Subfamily:	Crocodylinae
Genus:	Crocodylus
Species:	C. cataphractus
Binomial name
Crocodylus cataphractus Cuvier, 1825
Range map
Synonyms
Mecistops cataphractus

The African Slender-snouted Crocodile (Crocodylus cataphractus) is a species of crocodile. Recent studies in DNA and morphology suggest that it may belong in its own genus, Mecistops.

African Slender-snouted Crocodile are native to freshwater habitats in central and western Africa. They are a medium sized crocodile, typically a bit smaller than the Nile crocodile, but are larger than several other crocodilians. The adult length is from 3 to 4 m (9.8 to 13 ft) and adult weigh is from 125–230 kg (280–510 lb). The occasional large specimen can weigh up to 325 kg (720 lb). They have a slender snout used for catching prey, hence their name. Their diet consists of mainly fish, snakes, amphibians and crustaceans.

Slender snouted crocodiles bear a strong resemblance to gharial which also have a very slender snout

African Slender-snouted Crocodile begin to breed in the rainy season. The female constructs a mound nest consisting mainly of plant matter, which is sited usually on river banks. The eggs have a long incubation period, sometimes up to 110 days.

This species is generally not found in groups, except during the onset of the breeding season. The female constructs a mound nest consisting mainly of plant matter. Nests are sited on the banks of rivers, and construction generally begins at the onset of the wet season, although breeding is asynchronous even within members of one population. It has a similar, but generally shorter nesting season than that of the sympatric Dwarf crocodile, which may nest further from the riverine habitat frequented by C. cataphractus. The slender-snouted crocodile lays an average of 16 (minimum 13, maximum 27) very large eggs (relative to body size) about a week after completion of the mound nest. The incubation period is long compared with most other crocodilian species, sometimes lasting over 110 days. The female remains close to the nest, but does not defend it with the same vigour as some other species of crocodilians. Once the eggs begin to hatch, and the juveniles emit their characteristic chirping, she will break open the nest and assist in the hatching process. Hatchlings then disperse across the flooded forest floor. Although losses from predators do occur (e.g. by soft-shelled turtles), they apparently are minimal, possibly accounting for the small number of relatively large eggs laid, and the long incubation period. They also have very sharp teeth for protection. It is one of four species of crocodile found in Africa. The others are the Nile, desert and dwarf crocodiles.

Though its status is unknown, it is believed that the population is dwindling and may be threatened. Their range still is largely unknown, even where they are common.

References

• Crocodile Specialist Group (1996). Crocodylus cataphractus. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 20 September 2011. Listed as Data Deficient

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