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Cuban crocodile
The Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer) is a small-medium species of crocodile endemic to Cuba. Typical length is 2.1–2.3 m (6 ft 11 in – 7 ft 7 in) and typical weight 70–80 kg (150–180 lb). Large males can reach as much as 3.5 m (11 ft) in length and weigh more than 215 kg (474 lb).
The Cuban crocodile is of interest to biologists for its unique physical and behavioral traits. Long- and strong-legged, it is the most terrestrial of extant crocodiles. Its preferred habitat comprises freshwater and brackish water environments, such as mangrove swamps, coastal lagoons, estuaries, marshes, floodplains, and river deltas. There, the adults feed on fish, turtles and small mammals, while the young eat invertebrates and smaller fish. Mating occurs between May and July. Captive animals have displayed cooperative hunting behavior, and can be taught tricks, suggesting intelligence.
The Cuban crocodile is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. Once spread across the Caribbean, its range has dwindled to only the Zapata Swamp, due to hunting by humans. Captive breeding projects are in place to help the species recover. The species' fossil record reveals it had at one point a greater range, with fossil remains being found in the Bahamas, Hispaniola and the Cayman Islands.
The genus Crocodylus likely originated in Africa and radiated outwards towards Southeast Asia and the Americas, although an Australasian origin has also been considered. Phylogenetic evidence supports Crocodylus diverging from its closest recent relative (the extinct Voay of Madagascar) around 25 million years ago, near the Oligocene/Miocene boundary.
Below is a cladogram utilizing data from a 2018 tip dating study by Lee & Yates, simultaneously using morphological, molecular (DNA sequencing), and stratigraphic (fossil age) data, as revised by the 2021 Hekkala et al. paleogenomics study using DNA extracted from the extinct Voay. Hall's New Guinea crocodile placement suggested in 2023 study by Sales-Oliveira et al.
The Cuban crocodile has numerous characteristics that set it apart from other crocodilians, such as its brighter adult colors, rougher, more 'pebbled' scales, and long, strong legs. The species is the most heavily armored extant member of its genus. This is a small to mid-sized crocodilian. Typical adults were found to have measured 2.1–2.73 m (6 ft 11 in – 8 ft 11 in) in length and weighed 70–120 kg (150–260 lb). Large males can reach as much as 3.5 m (11 ft) in length and weigh 215 kg (474 lb) or more. Three individuals measuring 1.87–2.46 m (6 ft 2 in – 8 ft 1 in) and weighing 30–65 kg (66–143 lb) had a bite force of 1,392–3,127 N (313–703 lbf).
Today, the Cuban crocodile can only be found in Cuba's Zapata Swamp, where it is highly endangered. It formerly ranged elsewhere in the Caribbean; fossils of this species have been found in the Cayman Islands, The Bahamas and Hispaniola (the Dominican Republic).
The Cuban crocodile appears to favor freshwater habitat such as swamps, marshes, and rivers and rarely swims in saltwater.
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Cuban crocodile
The Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer) is a small-medium species of crocodile endemic to Cuba. Typical length is 2.1–2.3 m (6 ft 11 in – 7 ft 7 in) and typical weight 70–80 kg (150–180 lb). Large males can reach as much as 3.5 m (11 ft) in length and weigh more than 215 kg (474 lb).
The Cuban crocodile is of interest to biologists for its unique physical and behavioral traits. Long- and strong-legged, it is the most terrestrial of extant crocodiles. Its preferred habitat comprises freshwater and brackish water environments, such as mangrove swamps, coastal lagoons, estuaries, marshes, floodplains, and river deltas. There, the adults feed on fish, turtles and small mammals, while the young eat invertebrates and smaller fish. Mating occurs between May and July. Captive animals have displayed cooperative hunting behavior, and can be taught tricks, suggesting intelligence.
The Cuban crocodile is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. Once spread across the Caribbean, its range has dwindled to only the Zapata Swamp, due to hunting by humans. Captive breeding projects are in place to help the species recover. The species' fossil record reveals it had at one point a greater range, with fossil remains being found in the Bahamas, Hispaniola and the Cayman Islands.
The genus Crocodylus likely originated in Africa and radiated outwards towards Southeast Asia and the Americas, although an Australasian origin has also been considered. Phylogenetic evidence supports Crocodylus diverging from its closest recent relative (the extinct Voay of Madagascar) around 25 million years ago, near the Oligocene/Miocene boundary.
Below is a cladogram utilizing data from a 2018 tip dating study by Lee & Yates, simultaneously using morphological, molecular (DNA sequencing), and stratigraphic (fossil age) data, as revised by the 2021 Hekkala et al. paleogenomics study using DNA extracted from the extinct Voay. Hall's New Guinea crocodile placement suggested in 2023 study by Sales-Oliveira et al.
The Cuban crocodile has numerous characteristics that set it apart from other crocodilians, such as its brighter adult colors, rougher, more 'pebbled' scales, and long, strong legs. The species is the most heavily armored extant member of its genus. This is a small to mid-sized crocodilian. Typical adults were found to have measured 2.1–2.73 m (6 ft 11 in – 8 ft 11 in) in length and weighed 70–120 kg (150–260 lb). Large males can reach as much as 3.5 m (11 ft) in length and weigh 215 kg (474 lb) or more. Three individuals measuring 1.87–2.46 m (6 ft 2 in – 8 ft 1 in) and weighing 30–65 kg (66–143 lb) had a bite force of 1,392–3,127 N (313–703 lbf).
Today, the Cuban crocodile can only be found in Cuba's Zapata Swamp, where it is highly endangered. It formerly ranged elsewhere in the Caribbean; fossils of this species have been found in the Cayman Islands, The Bahamas and Hispaniola (the Dominican Republic).
The Cuban crocodile appears to favor freshwater habitat such as swamps, marshes, and rivers and rarely swims in saltwater.