DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
Occurs in wetlands of Cuba: Zapata Swamp and Lanier Swamp. It lives in freshwater wetlands.
BEHAVIOUR
It moves efficiently and quickly on land, it can make jumps thanks to exceptionally strong hind limbs. A well-muscled tail helps with both jumping and swimming. Unlike other crocodile species, most of the time it spends on land.
DIET
Mostly turtles, but also fish and mammals. The teeth (66-68) are perfectly suited to crushing turtle shells. The young feed on arthropods and small fish.
REPRODUCTION
The mating takes place in March. From May to June, the female creates a mound-shaped nest and lays 30 to 40 eggs in it. Incubation lasts from 58 to 70 days.
GOOD TO KNOW
One of the reasons for the threat to the species is illegal hunting, which has increased significantly since the 1990s. The meat of these reptiles is sold to private restaurants serving tourists or consumed by local residents.
- Latin name: Crocodylus rhombifer
- IUCN Red List – CR – Critically endangered
- CITES – Appendix I
- ESB – European Studbook
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