Reptile · GBIF taxon 2441385
African Dwarf Crocodile
Osteolaemus tetraspisAlso known as Dwarf Crocodile, West African Dwarf Crocodile, Broad-snouted Crocodile, Bony Crocodile
These heavily armored crocodilians spend their days hiding in burrows or submerged under tree roots along slow-moving rainforest streams. At night, they venture into the forest understory, sometimes climbing low branches or traveling far from water to hunt land-dwelling prey. Females construct mound nests of decaying vegetation, fiercely guarding their eggs and gently carrying the hatchlings to the water in their mouths.
NocturnalCarnivorousRainforest
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Freshwater crabs
- Frogs
- Fish
Predators
- Leopards
- Large wading birds
- Larger crocodiles
ThreatsHabitat destruction, deforestation, and heavy hunting for the bushmeat trade
HabitatsTropical rainforest swamps, slow-moving rivers, and flooded forests
Life span40 to 75 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCrocodylidae
- GenusOsteolaemus
- SpeciesOsteolaemus tetraspis
Native
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Capable of delivering a powerful defensive bite; maintain a safe distance and never attempt to handle.
Responsible observation
- Observe quietly: Approach forest streams slowly at night to spot their reflective orange eyeshine.
- Respect nesting sites: Give a wide berth to mounds of leaf litter near water, as mothers guard them fiercely.
- Support conservation: Choose certified sustainable timber to protect their rapidly shrinking rainforest habitats.
Habitat Engineer (c) Matt Muir, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Muir · cc-by
Frequent Companion jeanlouisamiet / CC BY 4.0 · CC BY 4.0
Close Relative Dewet / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Thesupermat / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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Found in Collections
Ecosystem chain
Wetland Territory
African Dwarf Crocodile is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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