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Home > Species

Subwater crocodile

A species of Mecistops, Also known as Slender-snouted crocodile
Scientific name : Mecistops cataphractus Genus : Mecistops

Subwater crocodile, A species of Mecistops
Also known as:
Slender-snouted crocodile
Scientific name: Mecistops cataphractus
Genus: Mecistops
Content

Description General Info

Subwater crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus) Photo By simbamangu , used under CC-BY-NC-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original

Description

The West African slender-snouted crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus) is a critically endangered species of crocodile from Africa. It is one of five species of crocodile in Africa, the other four being the Central African slender-snouted, Nile, West African and dwarf crocodiles.

General Info

Lifespan

20-30 years

Diet

Subwater crocodile is primarily piscivorous, with a dietary preference for fish that inhabit the relatively calm estuaries and lagoons of its environment. However, it may also consume amphibians and small reptiles opportunistically.

Appearance

Subwater crocodile is a medium-sized crocodile with a slender body, lined by armored scales. The predominantly dark-brown to greyish-black hue is accentuated by noticeably contrasting undersides that are light yellow in color. Its definable features include a long, narrow snout and a unique broad-ridged crest running along the back. Young individuals mostly appear in a lighter tone compared to adults, with no noticeable differences between genders.

Behavior

Subwater crocodile displays a nocturnal and solitary lifestyle, mainly engaging in hunting at night while spending the day in burrows. This species is known for its distinctive behavior of 'death roll', used to tear apart prey. Territorial marking is through scent glands located near the tail. Adaptations such as a stealthy approach and strong jaw grip enhance its survival in aquatic and nearby terrestrial habitats.

Population

Decreasing
Subwater crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus) Subwater crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus) Photo By simbamangu , used under CC-BY-NC-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original

Scientific Classification

Phylum
Chordates
Class
Reptiles
Order
Crocodilians
Family
Crocodiles
Genus
Mecistops
Species
Subwater crocodile
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