Cuban crocodile: description, distribution, habitat and lifestyle

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:48

The Cuban crocodile, crocodylus rhombifer, as scientists call it, lives in a limited area. It is impossible to meet this reptile outside the Greater Antilles, of course, if you do not take into account terrariums and zoos.

This species of crocodiles has a number of curious differences from its relatives living in other parts of the world. This is explained by the isolated development of this species of reptiles.

What does this crocodile look like?

The Cuban or pearl crocodile, as it is often called, looks different from the rest. The main features that characterize the Cuban, which are the differences with other crocodiles, are:

• skin covered with large scaly layers on the limbs;
• long legs with great strength;
• bright colors in coloring;
• wavy pattern that looks like a pearl shell;
• light, plain belly,contrasting with the back.

The muzzle of Cubans is wide, and in comparison with other types of crocodiles, it is rather short. Behind the line of the eyes, these reptiles have a bright light comb.

They have relatively few teeth, from 66 to 68 pieces. The structure of the jaws and the teeth themselves is curious. The mouth is arranged in such a way that the teeth located closer to its base are several times wider and shorter than those located in front. Such a grazing device allows the Cuban to snack and crush the shells of turtles without straining, which make up his main diet.

Where does this crocodile live?

Another nuance that distinguishes the Cuban crocodile from others is distribution. This reptile has one of the narrowest habitats, it now lives in only two places, on the islands of Youthud and Cuba.

Island of Juventud is the second largest in the Los Canarreos archipelago and is located 50 kilometers south of the Cuban coast. Until 1978, this area was called Isla de Pinos, which in translation into Russian means - the island of Pines. Crocodiles live in its swampy part.

In Cuba, reptiles can be found within a protected area located in the province of Matanzas, bordering on the west with Havana. Cubans live in a swamp, the total area of which exceeds 4354 square kilometers. It is called the Zapata swamp, just like the entire peninsula on which the protected area is located.

Scientists find ancient remains of this species of crocodiles in the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas, but no living specimens are found there.

How big is this crocodile?

The Cuban crocodile does not differ in significant size, it is far from being a giant. The average size of a male reptile is rather modest:

• body length from 2 to 2.3 meters;
• weight about 40 kilograms.

The Guinness Book of Records mentions an individual with a body length of 2 meters and 74 centimeters. The fossilized remains of these crocodiles that scientists find are much larger. For example, skulls with a length of more than 66 centimeters are found, which allows us to conclude that the length of the body exceeds the mark of five meters.

However, the Cubans now living in the Zapata swamp not only do not reach the level of the size of their fossil ancestors, but, on the contrary, often turn out to be smaller than the average standards accepted by scientists.

Females are smaller than the male Cuban crocodile. The difference in size is noticeable externally, the average length of the female is 1.4-1.5 meters.

How does this crocodile live?

The Cuban crocodile leads a fairly active lifestyle. This animal is very aggressive, even for a reptile of this type. They prefer fresh water but can tolerate brackish environments as well.

In the way the Cuban crocodile lives, there is also a nuance that distinguishes it from its relatives. The Cuban spends most of his time not at all in the water, but on land. This kindreptiles move briskly without touching the surface with the abdomen and are quite capable of reaching a speed of 17 km / h. The Cuban, in principle, is very active, he briskly pursues prey, similarly to any land predator, and is even able to bounce low. This behavior is unique to the crocodile.

How aggressive is manifested?

The reptile's aggression is expressed in its desire to dominate other species. For example, when kept together in zoos, Cubans take away food and in every possible way oppress other crocodiles territorially.

In the case of crossing in the wild natural environment with sharp-snouted reptiles, which have much larger dimensions, the Cubans, not particularly bothering, displace them from the freshwater environment. Of course, they do not disdain to take away the food they get.

Despite the desire for a dominant role in their habitat, this type of reptile is quite social within its species. Cubans are able to unite, are loyal to their own relatives, and scientists believe that this species of crocodile is the most intelligent living.

What do these crocodiles eat?

The little Cuban crocodile eats crustaceans, shellfish and anything else it can find. As they grow older, the diet of the reptile changes. The basis of the diet of the Cuban are caimans and turtles, but they are not the only ones that make up his diet.

Adult crocodile eats:

• fish;
• huti isa species of rodent native to Cuba;
• wild pigs;
• dogs near hunting grounds;
• shellfish.

Cuban can hunt other reptiles as well as other mammals. Crocodiles do not move far from their habitat, so their diet is formed by what is close.

How do these crocodiles breed?

The Cuban crocodile, interesting facts about which, mined by scientists, mainly relate to its fossil ancestors, is not distinguished by love. The male reaches puberty by the age of six, and begins to show interest in the opposite sex when it grows to 1.97 meters. This length usually coincides with the achievement of puberty.

Females mature a little later, they can become sexually mature even at the age of 7 years. They mate strictly according to the calendar - they start in May and end in July. It is generally accepted by scientists that such attachment to time is due to environmental conditions.

Mating results in a clutch of 30-40 eggs. The female is capable of laying up to 60 eggs, but according to observations of Cubans, such cases are extremely rare.

Eggs have the following dimensions:

• length 5 to 8cm;
• weight from 110 to 115 grams.

In its natural conditions, the crocodile digs a not very deep hole and tightly covers the masonry with fallen leaves. In zoos, females arrange something that looks more like a barrow.

Little Cubans are born after 50-70 days. There is no consensus among scientists about the reasons for the significant difference in the timing of egg maturation, they believe that this is due to temperature, precipitation and other natural conditions. The sex of the future crocodile determines the temperature inside the nest. The male appears at 32-33 degrees Celsius. With indicators different from this mark, females are selected from the shell.