Lincoln Park Zoo

Common name: Dwarf crocodile
Latin Name: Osteolaemus tetraspis

Class: Reptiles & Amphibians
Order:    Crocodylia

Description
Uniformly dark in color with brown eyes. Body is heavily armored from head to tail with bony, plated scales. They can reach a length of 5.5 feet and weigh 70 pounds.

Range
West Africa and west central Africa (Guinea, Ghana, Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroons, Liberia and Angola)

Status
The dwarf crocodile is listed as endangered. It is still exploited for its hide, eggs, meat and as a pet.

Habitat
Tropical forest zones, prefering slow-moving water while avoiding major waterways.

Niche
Aquatic and nocturnal, feeding on crabs, frogs, fish and, occasionally, small mammals that wander into the water or are captured by the riverbed.

Life History
Dwarf crocodiles lay about 20 eggs at a time in nest mounds made of vegetation. Incubation is 87-126 days, depending on atmospheric temperature. Timid by nature, dwarf crocodiles are slow moving and do not like to bask, as do other crocodiles.

2

Special Adaptations

  • Eyes placed high on the head enable the crocodile to see above the water line while keeping its body submerged.
  • Special transparent membranes protect the animal's eyes during struggles with prey, so the crocodiles can still see while fighting.