Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer), St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoo, Florida.
Crocodiles part 16: Cuban Crocodile
Cuban crocodile is the smallest and rarest crocodile in the Americas.
Cuban crocodile roaring, Zapata Swamp, Cuba. |
Female Cuban crocodile at a nest mound, Zoo Miami, Florida. |
This species is on the verge of extinction in the wild due to overhunting and interbreeding with the American crocodile (C. acutus). |
Female Cuban crocodile at her nest mound, Zoo Miami. |
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| Cuban crocodiles, Gatorama, Florida. |
Male Cuban crocodile in inflated posture. Zapata Swamp, Cuba. |
It once occurred in the Bahamas and probably Florida. |
Male Cuban crocodile in inflated posture. Zapata Swamp, Cuba. |
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| Cuban crocodile, Metrozoo. |
Cuban crocodiles in courtship, Zapata Swamp, Cuba. |
The remaining populations are in Zapata Swamp on Cuba and (reintroduced) in Lanier Swamp on nearby Isla de Juventud. |
Cuban crocodile, Zapata Swamp, Cuba. |
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| Cuban crocodiles hunting on land and in the water. Zapata Swamp, Cuba. |
Front leg of Cuban crocodile, Metrozoo. |
Cuban crocodile is the most terrestrial of all extant crocodilians. |
Rear foot of Cuban crocodile, Metrozoo. |
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| Cuban crocodile, Zoo Miami. |
Cuban crocodile, Zoo Miami. |
It is also said to be the most aggressive species, and a particularly intelligent one. Some people have managed to raise Cuban crocodiles as housepets. |
Cuban crocodile playing with a flower petal, Zoo Miami. |
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| Cuban crocodiles, Zoo Miami. |
Cuban crocodile, Zoo Miami. |
Cuban crocodile is beautifully patterned with small spots, unique among crocodilians. However, genetically it is very closely related to American, Orinoco and Morelet's crocodiles, and all these species produce fertile hybrids. |
Cuban crocodile (C. rhombifer), SAAFZP. |
Cuban crocodiles playing, Zoo Miami. |
Cuban crocodiles during courtship, Zoo Miami. |
I once observed a pair at Zoo Miami where the female got piggy-back rides from the male, her lifelong partner. This form of play behavior has never been observed in other crocodiles. |
Cuban crocodiles mating, Zoo Miami. |
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| Cuban crocodiles during courtship, Zoo Miami. |
Baby Cuban crocodile, GatorWorld, Florida. |
This is one of the most difficult species to see in the wild; I only managed to do so in 2016. |
Baby Cuban crocodile, GatorWorld, Florida. |
Baby Cuban crocodiles, GatorWorld, Florida. |
Part 17: Mugger
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