Slender-snouted Crocodile
Encyclopedia
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, but at present most continue to use Crocodylus for this species.
African Slender-snouted Crocodile are native to freshwater habitats in central and western Africa. They are a medium sized crocodile and grow to about 3 to 4 metres long. They have a slender snout used for catching prey, hence their name. Their diet consists of mainly fish
, snakes, amphibians and crustaceans.
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 Osteolaemus tetraspis
, 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 the three crocodiles in Africa. The other two are the dwarf and nile crocodiles.
Though its status is unknown, it is believed that the population is dwindling and may be threatened.
in addition,there range still is largely unknown[especially where they are common]
Crocodile
A crocodile is any species belonging to the family Crocodylidae . The term can also be used more loosely to include all extant members of the order Crocodilia: i.e...
. Recent studies in DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
and morphology
Morphology (biology)
In biology, morphology is a branch of bioscience dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features....
suggest that it may belong in its own genus, Mecistops, but at present most continue to use Crocodylus for this species.
African Slender-snouted Crocodile are native to freshwater habitats in central and western Africa. They are a medium sized crocodile and grow to about 3 to 4 metres long. They have a slender snout used for catching prey, hence their name. Their diet consists of mainly fish
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
, snakes, amphibians and crustaceans.
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
Wet season
The the wet season, or rainy season, is the time of year, covering one or more months, when most of the average annual rainfall in a region occurs. The term green season is also sometimes used as a euphemism by tourist authorities. Areas with wet seasons are dispersed across portions of the...
, although breeding is asynchronous even within members of one population. It has a similar, but generally shorter nesting season
Nesting season
The nesting season is the time of year during which birds and some other animals, particularly some reptiles, build nests, lay eggs in them, and in most cases bring up their young. It is usually in the spring....
than that of the sympatric Osteolaemus tetraspis
Dwarf Crocodile
The dwarf crocodile is an African species of crocodile. It is also the smallest extant crocodile species in the world. Recent sampling has identified three genetically distinct populations...
, 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 the three crocodiles in Africa. The other two are the dwarf and nile crocodiles.
Though its status is unknown, it is believed that the population is dwindling and may be threatened.
in addition,there range still is largely unknown[especially where they are common]