Daily Zoo Animal #33: Dwarf Crocodile

[urbpan]

The African dwarf crocodile is the smallest crocodile species in the world and (at 4 feet long for a mature specimen and 6 feet for an exceptional one) among the smallest of the crocodilians. It is a nocturnal aquatic predator that feeds on fish and amphibians in good times and crustaceans and carrion in leaner times. Because it is small and relatively vulnerable to larger predators, it has evolved a armored skin which is thick even among its kind. I can vouch for the difficulty that skilled veterinarians experience trying to tease a hypodermic needle between its scales to obtain a blood sample, as well as the extraordinary efforts required for abdominal surgery.

Depicted is a healthy male, over 30 years old with many years left in him. He is seen here in the Tropical Forest exhibit--he laid "basking" indoors with his mouth agape for at least 20 minutes.